What to Feed Hens and Roosters?

[aart]

aart thank you for the info. What is the name of the flock raiser that you use? Do they waste any of it by not eating some of it?

Thank you.

I use Purina brand http://purinamills.com/chicken-feed/products/flock-raiser/

and made this feeder which I consider water free https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/aarts-almost-waste-free-funnel-bucket-feeder

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Quote:
This is a perfect run down!

 

[Chris09]

Starter --
A balanced feed meant as the sole ration for chicks from hatching to twelve weeks of age.
At 12 weeks of age the birds can be changed to Grower or Developer. Starter can be Medicated or Non-Medicated when Medicated it is with either Amprolium or Lasalocid. Starter is available in Mash, Crumble or Pellet form

Stater/ Grower --
A balanced feed meant as the sole ration for chicks from hatching to chickens begin to lay, this feed can be Medicated or Non-Medicated. If medicated it will be with either Amprolium or Lasalocid. Starter/ Grower is available mostly in Crumble or Pellet form.

Grower --
Feed as the sole ration to chicks 12 weeks of age as a finisher. Grower feed is meant to feed until the chickens begin to lay, then bird can be switched to a complete Laying. Most Grower feed is Non-Medicated but some are Medicated with Bacitracin. Grower is mostly available in available in Crumble or Pellet form.

Finisher -- See above for Grower

Layer --
Feed as the sole diet to laying hens maximum production of eggs. Do not feed Layer feed to poultry, which are not in production because of the high calcium levels in the diet. This is particularly true of young growing birds. Layer is available in Mash, Crumble or Pellet form.

Layer/ Breeder --
Feed as the sole diet to laying hens and breeders for maximum production and for improved hatchability. Do not feed Layer/Breeder feed to poultry, which are not in production because of the high calcium levels in the diet. This is particularly true of young growing birds. Layer/ Breeder is available in Pellet form.

Scratch Grain/ Corn (Maze) --
Is mostly used as a treat and should for the most part be feed separate from there sole feed (example - there Layer feed). Scratch should not exceed 40% of there diet when feeding a high protein feed. (Sole feed 20% protein or better) You may start feeding Scratch Grain at around 12 weeks of age.

Oyster Shells --
A Calcium supplement used to increase intake of laying fowl. Oyster Shells should not be offered to Non-Laying Fowl (Chicks, Growers, Non-Laying Hens and Roosters).


* Note --
Amprolium - which goes by the trade names Corid and Amprovine, Amprolium, Amprol, Anticoccid and is a thiamine analog, competitively inhibits the active transport of thiamine (B1). Amprolium is used in the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis.

Lasalocid - goes by the trade name Bovatec. Bovatec (lasalocid) is a coccidiocide that kills coccidia. It is an ionophore that moves potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium into the cell causing the cell to burst. Bovatec works primarily on a single developmental stage of coccidia, providing a more narrow range of action than Deccox.

Bacitracin - Bacitracin can also go by the names Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate and BMD. Bacitracin in Broiler And Replacement Chickens is an aid in prevention and control of necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens susceptible to bacitracin methylene disalicylate.

 

[Michael Apple]

I wouldn't use Purina feeds if I were paid to do so:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm393549.htm

 

[aart]

I wouldn't use Purina feeds if I were paid to do so:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm393549.htm

That's from a year ago......You could probably find a recall for darn near every pet food out there.

I've been using Purina for 20 years and never had an animal get sick or die.

 

[Michael Apple]

That's from a year ago......You could probably find a recall for darn near every pet food out there.

I've been using Purina for 20 years and never had an animal get sick or die.

They've had plenty of recalls already this year.
http://www.petfoodrecall.org/2015/0...tion-llc-recalls-one-lot-dumor-sheep-formula/
Not all have been poultry feeds exclusively, but enough product recalls to raise concerns about what they claim to be "healthy". You'd be wise to change to a higher quality ration. I have many years ago with a few mills and never looked back in regret No offense to you, aart, but Purina is not trustworthy based upon their record of numerous recalls over the years, and what I experienced in the past with them.Change of feed took place and very noticeable improvement happened within a 2 week time period, and even more in the coming months. None of which could have been attributed to moult, weather, or infection. That is very clear in my memory, and wouldn't withhold that information from anyone , no matter how many coupons an outfit might throw at me. This may cause a rift in my posting on this board, since Purina now has their own exclusive section on the forum, which representatives will remove posts, even those who ask questions in a courteous manner, since they may reflect negatively upon the company. I came here to talk chickens, not tow the line for some company. The companies that stand upon the quality of their product, I have, and would continue to recommend them. Those where the evidence proves otherwise, I will not.

 

[aart]

Let's not turn this thread into a brand debate.....the OP needed to understand the nutrient balance.

 

[Michael Apple]

Let's not turn this thread into a brand debate.....the OP needed to understand the nutrient balance.

Not a debate. Just the facts, and lack of balance is past reasoning behind many recalls. There is excellent info contained in this book I bought when it was first reprinted again. It contains much the same of what would be found in any Professor Jull book. It is very thorough addressing the nutrient requirements of poultry which does not change with time:
http://www.nortoncreekpress.com/feeding_poultry.html

 

[SilkieNation]

You need to learn to read the labels on feed bags for the key ingredients, as the names of the feed can be misleading or hard to understand at first.
Layer feed usually has about 16% protein and 4% calcium...best to use just for laying hens.
'Starter and 'grower' types can have anywhere between 18-22% protein.

The 'all flock or 'flock raiser' type usually has about 20% protein and 1% calcium.......
.......pretty good for all ages but laying hens will need a separate a container of oyster shell available at all times for their calcium needs.

You also need to take into account any other foods/treats you might be giving them.

I like to feed a 'flock raiser' 20% protein crumble to all ages and genders, as non-layers(chicks, males and all molting birds) do not need the extra calcium that is in layer feed and chicks and molters can use the extra protein. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat.

Calcium should be available at all times for the layers, I use oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container.

Animal protein (mealworms, a little cheese - beware the salt content, meat scraps) is provided during molting and if I see any feather eating.

The higher protein crumble also offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer.

I never knew that too much Ca+ was bad for my rooster... I just bought some organic layer feed, but will get something else now. The problem is, he eats the oyster shell as well. I can't separate them. Any suggestions?

 

[aart]

Quote: Does he have access to good grit?
That may be why he's eating the oyster shell?
Not sure.