calf manna vs calf starter any suggestions

[kimt816]

i saw a post about using calf manna to boost egg production the protein in 25% while i was stocking up on feed at tractor supply they have a calf starter right next to it and they said it is the same but protein is only 18% has anyone used this and if so does it work like calf manna for boosting egg production it costs about half.
gilrs are on a 16% layer pellet, free choice oster shell and grit and get cracker corn and sunflower seeds once a day half are coming out of molt others i think are just lazy lol
just wanted to check before i dropped $25 for a bag of calf manna.

 

[LAMchop]

I've never used Calf Manna, but I've been thinking about adding it. Calf Manna is a concentrated supplement that you can feed to many different animals, and is added to their daily feed. Calf starter is different, it's a grain mix formulated for young calves, and I doubt it would help your egg production.
The price for Calf Manna seems steep, but it should go a long way.
Hope this helps!

 

[Cara]

I don't think it would be worth the trouble adding something that is 18%. At best you might increase their protein by 1%.

Many people add dry cat food or fish food pellets to increase protein levels.

 

[chookchick]

Yes, if you are counting pennies, I would add some high protein treats instead. You can give them small amounts of cat food, shredded cheese, washed cottage cheese, meal worms (you can even grow them yourself!), sunflower seeds, low-salt fish, etc...a little goes a long way with these.

 

[nnbreeder]

Actually the Calf Manna goes a very long ways too. The next time at TS read the back of the bag on how much to use and compare it with other products.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I'd go with the calf manna. I just started using it and within 2 days my egg production doubled from my big girls. And it got colder here, not warmer...so I know it's not the weather. I think they just needed the protein boost. A few are just coming out of molt and I think they started back laying.

 

[Uzuri]

Just remember that the only reason the starter is cheaper is because you're paying for less protein -- but more filler. So to get the same "boost" they have to eat more (because the percentage of protein doesn't matter so much as the overall amount of protein; something that I know is rather difficult to visualize), something they're unlikely to do because they feel full from all the non-protein.

You can all cut out any low-protein snacks (the corn) to help make the protein that they're already getting a bigger percentage of their feed.

 

[Chris09]

Here is the information that would be on the Calf Manna bag. As fed to poultry it will go a long way at 5 to 10% of ration. (That is 10 lbs Calf Manna per 100 lbs layer) Any more than that can be harmful do to the high amount of salt and copper.. If you mix this in your feed at the rate they call for you might add a extra 1% of protein to your feed. Not much worth the price.. You would be way better off to just find a 18% or even a 20% layer..

Crude Protein Min 25.00 %
Lysine Min 1.4 %
Methionine Min 0.3 %
Crude Fat Min 3.0 %
Crude Fiber Min 3.0 %
Crude Fiber Max 6.00 %
Acid Detergent Fiber Max 10.0 %
Calcium Min 0.7 %
Calcium Max 1.2 %
Phosphorus Min 0.6 %
Salt Min 0.5 %
Salt Max 1.0 %
Sodium Min 0.2 %
Sodium Max 0.4 %
Copper Min 15 ppm
Copper Max 35 ppm
Selenium Min 0.1 ppm
Zinc Min 125 ppm
Vitamin A Min 20,000 IU/lb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soybean meal, corn, hominy feed, feeding oatmeal, dried whey, dehydrated alfalfa meal, linseed meal, brewer’s dried yeast, vegetable oil, fenugreek seed, anise oil, calcium carbonate, monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, salt, sulfur, iron oxide, ferrous carbonate, ferrous sulfate, copper oxide, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, zinc oxide, sodium selenite, cobalt carbonate, calcium iodate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, choline chloride, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, biotin.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Animal Amount
Dairy Calves Up to 1 lb per day
Lactating Cows 1-1 1/2 lb per day
Beef Calves 10% of the creep ration
Show Cattle 1-2 lbs per day
Brood Cows 1 lb per day
Bulls 1 lb per day
Foals 1/2 lb per day
Growing Horses 1-1 1/2 lbs per day
Performance Horses 1-2 lbs per day
Broodmares & Stallions 1 1/2-2 lbs per day
Goats 1/4 - 1/2 lb per day
Baby Pigs 1/8-1/4 lb per day
Show Hogs 1/2 - 1 lb per day
Gestating Sows 1/8 - 1/4 lb per day
Lactating Sows 1/2 - 3/4 lb per day
Boars 1/4 - 1/2 lb per day
Rabbits (Growing) 1 teaspoon per day
Rabbits (Lactating) 1 tablespoon per day
Poultry 1 tablespoon per day or 5-10 % of the ration

Chris

 

[Chris09]

Quote:

(because the percentage of protein doesn't matter so much as the overall amount of protein; something that I know is rather difficult to visualize),

Are you talking about TDN (Total Digestible Nutrition) ? If not you just lost me because if the tag says 17% protein that means that there is 17% protein per 100 lbs of feed..

something they're unlikely to do because they feel full from all the non-protein

"Felling full" has more to do with Carbohydrates and Fiber than Protein.

but more filler

So "filler" in feed would be??? I would love to know just what you are calling a "filler".



Chris​

 

[chookchick]

Chris, that seems a bit harsh. I think he's just trying to say that they are going to have to eat more to get the proper amount of protein in their diet. Perhaps he didn't word it in the clearest or most technically correct way.