Those who use an "All Flock" feed, PLEASE help me decide on a feed!

[U_Stormcrow]

I use Nutrena naturewise all flock 20% pellet ( i take a rolling pen to it for littles) 23.95 for 40lbs
I have standard chickens ,bantams , chicks etc through almost a year old.. mine free range i put calcium out as well as chick and poultry grit..i go through about 3 bags per month for 30 chickens

Nature wise "feather fixer" is a higher protein layer formulation - too much calcium for anything except adult production hens. I'll take Purina's FLock Raiser over Nutrena's All Flock - locally its cheaper (Nutrena is a 40# bag, Purina 50#), and Purina's nutritional guarantee is slightly better - but either are fine feeds.

 

[Luckyt21]

Here's a picture of where Kalmbach puts the mill date.
View attachment 3399150
The "22269" is the mill date. It means the 269th day of '22.

Here is a recent picture of the bag of my Kalmbach hen house reserve feed that I ordered from Chewy. Can u tell me what the date is?

 

[RoyalChick]

Here is a recent picture of the bag of my Kalmbach hen house reserve feed that I ordered from Chewy. Can u tell me what the date is?

Just when I thought I understood the date code. I have no idea!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Here is a recent picture of the bag of my Kalmbach hen house reserve feed that I ordered from Chewy. Can u tell me what the date is?

Looks like they've disposed of the mill date in favor of a "fresh by" - and since they are claiming its still good in 2024, yet we are only about 75 days into 2023, I'm guessing they are putting a 1 year fresh by... Which is "creative". Sure whole grains *can* be good a year later - but those bags and the wya feed is typically stored are NOT the way in which one would desire to store grain for next year's use...

 

[Luckyt21]

Looks like they've disposed of the mill date in favor of a "fresh by" - and since they are claiming its still good in 2024, yet we are only about 75 days into 2023, I'm guessing they are putting a 1 year fresh by... Which is "creative". Sure whole grains *can* be good a year later - but those bags and the wya feed is typically stored are NOT the way in which one would desire to store grain for next year's use...

That’s what I was thinking. Well I just switched to Kalmbach for multiple reasons, but I do not like this new way of dating plus it’s about $10 more per bag compared to the Neutrena I was using from TSC. I want fresh food for my flock so I will be looking for a different brand. I have 11 hens & 4, soon to be 2 roosters. Half of them have pretty shabby looking feathers, I think from boredom & pecking order. They have been picking at each others feathers & they willingly let each other do it… even the roosters! Thinking they need more protein & boredom busters??? It has been a long terrible winter here in MN. LMK your feed suggestions please.

 

[Sally PB]

The last 3 bags of Kalmbach 20% Flock Maker I have purchased had the same mill date. I get them from a small family feed store. I asked when they were going to get a new shipment, and the owner asked, "Oh, was that the last bag?" I said I didn't think so, and was going to mention the mill date, but another customer came in at that moment.

I would guess that they buy in bulk for price, and that that particular type of feed is not a hot seller.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

That’s what I was thinking. Well I just switched to Kalmbach for multiple reasons, but I do not like this new way of dating plus it’s about $10 more per bag compared to the Neutrena I was using from TSC. I want fresh food for my flock so I will be looking for a different brand. I have 11 hens & 4, soon to be 2 roosters. Half of them have pretty shabby looking feathers, I think from boredom & pecking order. They have been picking at each others feathers & they willingly let each other do it… even the roosters! Thinking they need more protein & boredom busters??? It has been a long terrible winter here in MN. LMK your feed suggestions please.

I suggest you buy a nutritionally complete feed at a price you can stomach, as fresh as you can find. I know from other posts that you and value different things - you don't want to feed what I do (which I do NOT recommend to others for reasons specific to my management, my acceptable risks, and my budget), but is in part dependent on a local mill.

 

[chkncrazy]

I stick with what I know I've never gone wrong with blue seal or the 22% grower and if they're layers every once in awhile I put a handful of crushed oyster shell in their feed and I'm good to go they're spoiled little chubbies.. it's also crumbles.. which wasn't my choice when I got them I started pullets my dad bought the wrong bag and it was all downhill from there LOL

 

[csharris]

I've been using Purina Flock Raiser (crumble) and am very happy with it! I also have young children and have it delivered from TSC. My chickens are healthy and doing great. I use it with chicks, too, after they finish their first bag of medicated starter (also Purina). Medicated starter and flock raiser is the only feeds I use. I've never used layer feed.

I have a mama duck nesting 3 eggs in my front yard. A neighbor gave me a bag of Flock Raiser but there are no instructions. Do I just put out a bowl of it? Thx!

 

[K0k0shka]

I have a mama duck nesting 3 eggs in my front yard. A neighbor gave me a bag of Flock Raiser but there are no instructions. Do I just put out a bowl of it? Thx!

I have no experience with ducks, so I'm not the right person to comment. You can look it up on this site using the search feature, or start a new thread and ask the duck owners specifically.