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

[Weetamoo93]

I usually get the 10-Way "Showstopper" blend from this company, but my feed store is carrying this "Healthy Hen" instead. The instructions say for birds 16+ weeks, which is potentially problematic as I have an all ages flock that eats altogether. I mix this with Purina's Flock Raiser in a 1:1, but may switch to just this, if possible, since it's less.

Can anyone point out why it may be labeled for older birds? It has less calcium than their chick starter.

 

[nuthatched]

Most feeds that say that are layer feeds, layer feeds aren't intended for non laying birds.

 

[Weetamoo93]

Most feeds that say that are layer feeds, layer feeds aren't intended for non laying birds.

Right. But I like to know the "why". If it's a question of calcium content, this feed has lower calcium than the chick feed.

 

[sean_wonder]

It’s not just calcium content, chicks require different protein, amino acid, and iirc much higher phosphorous content in their feed than adult birds. That feed says 16+ weeks because it’s designed to meet the nutritional needs of laying hens, which does include higher calcium.

The Showstopper is simultaneously labeled as a complete feed and as scratch. Scratch is not a complete feed— it’s a medley of other things, typically high in protein, meant to be fed as a treat for enrichment & extra protein. I am not sure why it’s labeled as a complete feed, the ingredients are mostly corn, sunflower, etc. which are very calorie dense.

The other feed, Healthy Hen, is a bit better, but it’s also a “mash” style feed, meaning that the individual ingredients are recognizable and therefore your chickens can pick through the feed, eat whatever they like, and leave behind whatever they don’t. They are less likely to get a complete ration from this style of feed since they’d of course prefer to eat the tasty bits.

Just feeding a crumble/pellet all-flock (20% protein) would be best.

But if you’re just trying to use the scratch/mash style to mix in their regular feed, I’d say there’s nothing wrong with keeping the Showstopper scratch — just no need to mix it in to their normal feed since it should be used as a treat IMO.

Here is a link to a document about poultry nutrition & feed requirements. You can find a table of requirements on page 20 I believe… this may not be the most up to date doc but I am not on my computer and not willing to fight the good fight of searching for these sorts of things on a mobile device lol.

 

[nuthatched]

Right. But I like to know the "why". If it's a question of calcium content, this feed has lower calcium than the chick feed.

Read above post, it covers it

 

[Weetamoo93]

@sean_wonder , thank you! My chickens aren't fed free choice, so they wind up eating everything I put out; they pick out what they want first, naturally. Except for this one bag of food that I've never bought again; tried it once and they barely touched it.

They also free range over an acre of mixed grass and woods and have access to my compost pile, so it's hardly a tailored diet.

 

[sean_wonder]

My chickens aren't fed free choice

Ah, totally fair! That certainly will help them be less picky, but can also make the "higher up" hens have access to all the tasty bits and the lower girls get whatever's left. I'd still push toward a crumble/pellet formula.

They also free range over an acre of mixed grass and woods and have access to my compost pile, so it's hardly a tailored diet.

That's fantastic! I wish I could compost... I tried to set up one once upon a time and failed miserably, ha. TBF, probably didn't put nearly enough time and effort into starting it. Do you let them stir it up for you?

 

[Weetamoo93]

That's fantastic! I wish I could compost... I tried to set up one once upon a time and failed miserably, ha. TBF, probably didn't put nearly enough time and effort into starting it. Do you let them stir it up for you?

They redistribute more than stir my pile, at the moment. I have a spot that I dump it and they kick it all over their area. I have plans to make a "bin" to try to keep it more together, but that's lower on the priority list.

 

[tigger19687]

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

 

[LaFleche]

The way this kind of feed is used here in Germany, "for pullets 16+" means reduced protein etc. to not push pullets to start laying eggs too early and thus damaging their reproductive tract.
Feeding "16+ is a transitional feed and will be fed until they start laying, which allows their reproductive organs to mature at a slower and healthier pace.

As soon as the pullets start laying eggs, the feed will be switched bit by bit to layer or all flock over a period of 7-10 days.