Which feed to use???

[Darin115]

I have been feeding Bartlet laying pellets for a while now. Some of my chickens are not as healthy as before.

I go to church with the manager of Southern States. He said it is the feed I am using. He said that their laying pellets are much better than Bartlet.

Does anyone have any experience with these 2 feeds?

Darin

 

[spottedtail]

I have no experience with either brand.

That manager would be doing a poor sales job if he didn't claim his brand was better.
Try a bag or two and observe the results for yourself.

spot

 

[Eggseronious]

Ive never heard of Barlet or whatever, but I know Southern States is a good choice.

 

[keljonma]

Will he give you a sample or trial size so you can compare the two?

We feed organic layer mash now. But when we started, we used Purina Natural Choice Start & Grow and Purina Layer with excellent results.

The ladies at our place don't like pellets, so we feed crumbles or layer mash.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I fed Southern States when I first got my chickens. I like it and the chickens liked it. It seems to have some good percentages in there but we have gone organic so I switched to Blue Seal. If we had not switched I would have stayed with Southern States. I think you could get some great egg production from that feed.

 

[Darin115]

I compared feed analysis on Purina Sunfresh recipe laying crumbles and Bartlett Laying crumbles.

Bartlet Purina
Crude Protein 17% 16%
Lysine .80% .55%
Methionine .37% .25%
Crude fat (min) 2.5% 3.00%
Crude fiber(max)6.00% 7.00%
Calcium min 3.50% 3.25%
Calcium max 4.50% 4.25%
phosphorus .65% .50%
salt min .15% .3%
salt max .65% .8%
manganese 0 175
vitamin A 0 3000
vitamin E 0 10


Looks like Purina has manganses, vitamin A and vitamin E. Bartlett does not. Are these important to a chickens health??

Is it worth $5.00 more per 50#S of feed??

Darin

 

[brahma-momma]

we used the pellets from southern states when we first started and our egg production wasnt to great and the guy at southern states told us the crumble was better we switched and egg production went way up

 

[nccountrygirl]

Do you have a Purina dealer close by, that is what I use and have never had a problem. Some people use Purina Flock Raiser, it has 20% protein in it you just need to make sure they have oyster shell down at all times.

 

[keljonma]

Quote:
Manganese deficiency in chicks results in slipped tendon. In laying and breeding birds, manganese deficiency results in lowered egg production, reduced eggshell strength, poor hatchability, and reduced fertility.

Manganese is an antioxidant nutrient that can be found in several food items. Rich sources of manganese include whole grains, nuts, leafy vegetables. Foods high in phytic acid, such as beans, seeds, nuts, whole grains, and soy products, or foods high in oxalic acid, such as cabbage, spinach, and sweet potatoes, may slightly inhibit manganese absorption. Food sources of manganese include whole grain products, some fruits and vegetables such as pineapple, kale and strawberries.

Vitamin A deficiency in chicks results in poor growth, poor feathering, nasal and eye discharge and pale comb and wattles.

Vitamin A is necessary for good vision and is an antioxidant. Food sources for Vitamin A include cod liver oil, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, kale, and cantaloupe.

Vitamin E deficiency results in crazy chick disease. Signs include incoordination, convulsions and death. The deficiency also increases embryonic mortality.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant and is necessary for reproduction, healthy nervous system and muscular system development. Food sources of Vitamin E are seeds, spinach and wheat germ.