Why is this for birds 16+ weeks? (Link to feed)

[ChaosMom]

I tried that kind of feed and won't ever do that again. I think they came out with that type of feed for the uppity new chick owners. High priced. Sure it is more 'natural' type but chickens are not kept Natural, they are penned in a small area. I fell for it too
They bill through it getting the bits they want and leave the rest. Waste of good money.
You are better off getting a higher priced better feed IMHO.
That is what I did, a higher protein all flock type with extra shells on the side. They ended up eat Way BETTER, not more just better and looked much better

Comment from a non-uppity new chick owner:

I don’t have that feed, but I use a whole grain feed (Kalmbach Chickhouse Reserve.) If you moisten (or better, ferment) the feed, they eat it all.

Although the first to the feed bowl does grab the sunflower seeds!

My only (very mild) lament is that this doesn’t work with traditional feeders. I use a heavy crockery bowl instead.

 

[LaFleche]

my feed store is carrying this "Healthy Hen" instead.

I would want to know exactly what the "animal protein" source is as it could cause severe allergies to people sensitive to fish or sea food, in case they used fish meal or similar.

 

[tigger19687]

Comment from a non-uppity new chick owner:

I don’t have that feed, but I use a whole grain feed (Kalmbach Chickhouse Reserve.) If you moisten (or better, ferment) the feed, they eat it all.

Although the first to the feed bowl does grab the sunflower seeds!

My only (very mild) lament is that this doesn’t work with traditional feeders. I use a heavy crockery bowl instead.

Did that too... they still picked out what they wanted.... damm near left every Pea and pea skin
Once back on pellet/crumble, no more looking for the good stuff. No matter if it was dry/wet/fermented.
The only thing I let mine 'treat' on was cheerios when I walked out munching on a handful of dry ones.

 

[ChaosMom]

Did that too... they still picked out what they wanted.... damm near left every Pea and pea skin
Once back on pellet/crumble, no more looking for the good stuff. No matter if it was dry/wet/fermented.
The only thing I let mine 'treat' on was cheerios when I walked out munching on a handful of dry ones.

Once again confirming that every chicken is different!

(my phone’s autofill function suggested “cooked” after “is”! )

 

[Weetamoo93]

I tried that kind of feed and won't ever do that again. I think they came out with that type of feed for the uppity new chick owners. High priced. Sure it is more 'natural' type but chickens are not kept Natural, they are penned in a small area. I fell for it too
They bill through it getting the bits they want and leave the rest. Waste of good money.
You are better off getting a higher priced better feed IMHO.
That is what I did, a higher protein all flock type with extra shells on the side. They ended up eat Way BETTER, not more just better and looked much better

My chickens are more free range oriented; even my "coop" is an open shed without a door situated in a large run with various native shrubs. And that gets opened every day I'm home (which is most) so they can forage over an acre of grass and wooded area. I'm very fortunate with my land.

I feed them *just* enough commercial feed that they eat everything. They forage all day and get fed a mix of fermented scratch (3-way, whole corn, and BOSS), Purina's Flock Raiser, and the "Healthy Hen" in the evening. They clean the bowls of everything.

I've only had the issue with them picking through and leaving food once, and it was using the same system above. My feed store subbed in something as they were out of Flock Raiser and my chickens HATED it.

I don’t have that feed, but I use a whole grain feed (Kalmbach Chickhouse Reserve.) If you moisten (or better, ferment) the feed, they eat it all.

Although the first to the feed bowl does grab the sunflower seeds!

My only (very mild) lament is that this doesn’t work with traditional feeders. I use a heavy crockery bowl instead.

I was using some nice feeders before my flock grew to 60 (my poor husband) and had to switch up open bowls, too. My feed store had some heavy square ones like what you'd use livestock salt licks that work great for me.

The birds higher in my flock certainly get the choice seeds, usually the BOSS and whole corn from the fermented scratch.

I would want to know exactly what the "animal protein" source is as it could cause severe allergies to people sensitive to fish or sea food, in case they used fish meal or similar.

Whoa. Can allergies really be that sensitive that you could have a reaction from an egg from a chicken that consumed the allergen? I may try emailing to see what it is. Thankfully, my family has no known food allergies.

An additional reason for my liking this brand is that it's a small more local company (which I know does not mean they are better, but I hope they are).

 

[LaFleche]

Whoa. Can allergies really be that sensitive that you could have a reaction from an egg from a chicken that consumed the allergen?

Yes. It had me sent off to emergency intensive care several times as it caused an anaphylactic reaction.
Doctors thought me to have severe allergic reaction to chicken egg protein, but it turned out to have been the seafood and fish protein contained in the chicken feed that was used at the organic farm I had purchased the eggs from.

Which was my incentive to raise my own chickens and feed them accordingly, avoiding ingredients I am allergic to. Never had another incident caused by my own eggs or chicken meat since.