Whole Grain Feeding Option for my Picky Flock?

[Reilyjarm]

Hi Everyone! I have 5, 13 week old hens. From the start they have been eating Scratch and Peck Feeds, They LOVE LOVE LOVE their food, and for 35$ for a 25lb bag, I expect nothing less!! Right now, a 25 lb bag lasts me about 2.5 weeks. and speding $70 a month on food seems ridiculous. I have attemted to give them some of the other feed options found at my local tractor supply, but all of them come in pellets or crumbles and the ladies avoid it like the plague.

I just got back from a Mom and Pop feed store, and they suggested I give them something called Poltry Conditioner? Which is the only chicken food they offer that has whole grains. So I took their advice and bought a 50 lb bag, only to return home and discover it is for Game Birds? I am a chicken newbie, and honestly do not know what Game Birds are, but I dont think it is what I am looking for for my soon to be layers.

So, does anyone have any advice for me? Are their any other Organic, Whole Grain chicken feed that Will not break the bank? Is poltry conditioner an okay option for my hens? Should I try to force them to eat crumbles or pellets?

any help would be much appreciated.

 

[snow5164]

I’d leave out the tractor supply crumble .... they will eat it but change is not a chickens favourite thing. Organic whole grain? I have no idea , I go to a feed mill and buy either grower or layer....

They won’t starve but you have to be careful because they need certain minerals and calcium to make you eggs and if they don’t get that at this delicate age , their production won’t be good.

Good luck

 

[Cindy in PA]

It depends on what the poultry conditioner actually is. What does the tag say? I found a Bluebonnet Poultry Conditioner that is for game poultry, but it is also a complete feed with grains, vitamins & probiotics. So it is a 16% whole grain feed for poultry. Is there any info on the bag?

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you really want them to eat pellets/crumbles, make that the only option until they get used to eating it. Chickens are stubborn! If you want to give out whole grain mash as a snack once they get used to the other feed, then they should be willing to eat both.

Also not sure if you were fermenting the Scratch & Peck, but that's a good way to help cut down on the waste so the chickens eat the fines and can't pick around pieces they don't like as much.

 

[Reilyjarm]

It depends on what the poultry conditioner actually is. What does the tag say? I found a Bluebonnet Poultry Conditioner that is for game poultry, but it is also a complete feed with grains, vitamins & probiotics. So it is a 16% whole grain feed for poultry. Is there any info on the bag?

Yes! That is actually exactly what it is! It is Bluebonnet poultry conditioner, 16 percent protein!! So, do you think it is adequate for layers?

Sorry for taking so long to respond!! Thank you so much for getting back to me I appreciate it.

 

[Reilyjarm]

If you really want them to eat pellets/crumbles, make that the only option until they get used to eating it. Chickens are stubborn! If you want to give out whole grain mash as a snack once they get used to the other feed, then they should be willing to eat both.

Also not sure if you were fermenting the Scratch & Peck, but that's a good way to help cut down on the waste so the chickens eat the fines and can't pick around pieces they don't like as much.

I have tried fermenting it and would LOVE to do that! But again, they are picky and will not go near it! Maybe I will give scratch and peck another go, and give fermenting another shot, and give them crumbles along with that!

Sorry for taking so long to respond!! Thank you so much for getting back to me, I really appreciate it.

 

[Reilyjarm]

I’d leave out the tractor supply crumble .... they will eat it but change is not a chickens favourite thing. Organic whole grain? I have no idea , I go to a feed mill and buy either grower or layer....

They won’t starve but you have to be careful because they need certain minerals and calcium to make you eggs and if they don’t get that at this delicate age , their production won’t be good.

Good luck

I would love to find a feed mill near me, so far no luck!! I will keep a look out, and I am learning that chickens really do not like change!!!

Sorry for taking so long to respond!! Thank you so much for getting back to me I appreciate it.

 

[Folly's place]

16% protein is minimum for laying hens, and not best at all for growing chicks! It's better to feed an all-flock feed, or a chick feed that's 18% to 20% protein, and a balanced diet instead.
One of the problems that you can have with a whole grain diet, is that at least some birds will pick out the yummy bits, and not eat it in a balanced way. Also, the vitamin/ mineral mix is likely to fall to the bottom, and not be eaten.
I think that it's easier and more likely to work out well to feed a crumble, or a pelleted feed.
Chickens hate change, so every time you switch things around, they will not be pleased. You can mix the old with the new for part of a feeder's full, and then just offer one good diet, no changes.
Also, always check the mill date on each bag, so you are buying feed that you can use up within six weeks, not much longer, from it's mill date.
Mary