What is the best feed?

[Sphynxlover]

New to chickens. For pullets and older what brand is the best food for hens? Is there an online source you recommend? My chickens will be "urban backyard" chickens so feed stores are about an hour from me.

 

[AlleysChicks]

I like All flock with oyster shell on the side when there’s multiple ages involved.

https://g.co/kgs/QGU5S4 This is in your area, not sure how close though.

 

[bruceha2000]

Are you getting chicks and will you have your coop ready when they arrive? Chicks can grow faster than coops get built And if you are getting chicks have you found the Mama Heating Pad thread yet?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958

I imagine any name brand would be fine. I buy Poulin because they are a 3rd generation family feed business in my state. Probably can't get it in VA. As @AlleysChicks said, oyster shell on the side (regardless of what feed you use). They won't need that until they are close to laying though, usually 20+ weeks. You can use chick starter for a couple of weeks (or until the bag is empty if later) then grower.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I recommend no brands. They are ALL formulated to be the *best* for your chickens.

With that said, I suggest ALWAYS feeding starter/grower feed, and supplementing with calcium in the form of oyster shell, egg shell, etc. A LOT of chicken keepers have mixed age flocks, and starter/growing is good for ALL chickens, no matter age or sex (think rooster).

 

[Sphynxlover]

Are you getting chicks and will you have your coop ready when they arrive? Chicks can grow faster than coops get built And if you are getting chicks have you found the Mama Heating Pad thread yet?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958
r.

The coop will be ready and set up. I have decided on pullets instead of chicks for a little more accurate sexing since these will be my first.

 

[bruceha2000]

Then you can put them on a grower or "all flock" when they arrive.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! I also feed an all-flock feed with oyster shell on the side.
Check your local feed stores, and buy what's fresh by the mill date on each bag. It should be within about four weeks, and fed by six or seven weeks after milling. It doesn't store well, so don't try to 'stock up' and have it get stale or loose vitamins.
Mary

 

[JaeG]

Try to find something that lists animal proteins in the ingredients list such as blood and bone meal, fish meal etc. Chickens are not vegetarians. Enjoy your new girls.

 

[Folly's place]

There's nothing like that around here, but different feeds are available in different locations.
With shipped feeds, you will spend more, and have no control over the freshness of each bag of feed. I wouldn't do it myself.
Mary

 

[WhiteWyan]

So I spent a lot of time with this same question. What is best?

Ultimately I ended up feeding Nutrena Feather fixer pellets, because the 40 lb bags seem to sell very fast at my local tractor supply. These pellets have always had mill dates within about a month of the date of purchase and I want the freshest available. I bought a bag made on Dec 17 or 27 the other day and I'm happy with that.

I also like how it's a little higher protein, because then I can give them some scratch or birdseed and not feel like it will dilute their protein intake.

The feather fixer feed (I believe) is responsible for my mom's older (3-4 ur old) hens laying some eggs this winter because before I gave them the pellets my mom just gave them birdseed. Their shells were very thin too.

Also.... I have decided to add Manna Pro Poultry Conditioner pellets at about 10-15 % of the total pellets because I think it's a good product. It has fish meal and lots of vitamins and minerals to give you that animal protein that is so good for them. It's 22% protein and is a little pricey... Costs $7 for a 5lb bag.