Feed Questions- help! Kalmbach feed? Opinions and tips sorely needed.

[ozu]

Okay, so I know this has been asked a million times. But my mom just went out and bought Kalmbach Feed and of course, it's Vegetarian and I can't say I trust it at all. (I am on the "chickens are omnivores and should have animal protein" side.) We had some other feed they were doing fine on but they're getting older now and we ran out so she had to go and believe some random feed-store owner and not her own daughter. Of course.

Anyway, I'm hoping to get reassurance and maybe some suggestions on what layer feed to give them when they get older.

Most of my chickens are 8-10 weeks. We have two Cornish Rocks that go in to be processed on Wednesday so they won't be around much longer, four Golden Comets, an Easter Egger, an Australorp, and a Barred Rock. We also have three one week-old Silkies (estimation). (Also, will it be fine for the Silkies to get layer feed when they get older as well?)

Now, from what I've read, I will not be buying Purina or Dumor and I fear this one is just as "bad"... I'm so upset at the fear that this is crappy feed and the thought that my chickens will have to eat this Kalmbach brand even if it's bad that I'm crying over it.

Ugh. This won't hurt them right? Please tell me this feed isn't as horrible as it looks...


This is the exact feed here: http://www.kalmbachfeeds.com/shoppi...oose-Chicken-and-gamebird-starter-grower.aspx

The description says:

A complete medicated feed composed of all-vegetarian ingredients that has been formulated for starting broiler chicks and layer replacement chicks.

The 'analysis' says:

Crude Protein (Min.) 20.0%
Lysine (Min.) 1.0%
Methionine (Min.) 0.4%
Crude Fat (Min.) 2.8%
Crude Fiber (Max.) 4.5%
Calcium (Ca) (Min.) 0.7%
Calcium (Ca) (Max.) 1.2%
Phosphorus (P) (Min.) 0.6%
Salt (NaCl) (Min.) 0.2%
Salt (NaCl) (Max.) 0.7%
Vitamin A (Min.) 8,000 IU/lb
Vitamin E (Min.) 16 IU/lb

The directions say:

Feed continuously as the sole ration to free-range or confined ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys and game birds from 1 day of age until laying age or market. Always provide shelter and a continuous source of fresh clean water.
CONTAINS NO ANIMAL PROTEIN PRODUCTS.

The 'features' and 'benefits' say:

Fortified with vitamins and minerals to improve efficiency.
Increased energy level to meet demands of faster growing broilers and meat-type birds.
A balance of essential amino acids to reduce amount of waste nitrogen.

-----------

It's first ingredient is corn and some other top-ones are soybeans and wheat or something. The feed smells like old bread pretty much. It's in big pellets that we're crushing a bit so they don't choke- just in case.

Now, if this feed is complete poo, what should we feed? Remember- I live in Michigan, we don't have Blue Seal. And it can't be horribly expensive because my mom is having a freakin' fit about it. I feel absolutely miserable about this whole situation!

 

[ozu]

Okay, so I've done some more research and I've found a dealer by me that sells ADM feed (10 miles away!) It has animal protein and I've heard good things about it... I'm hoping the feed store has good prices that are better or match what we have now. I'd still like to hear what people think about the Kalmbach though!

 

[animallover505]

You could probably feed it, as they are still chicks, but I'd definitely take them out whenever it is warm enough so that they can eat grass and bugs

 

[ozu]

You could probably feed it, as they are still chicks, but I'd definitely take them out whenever it is warm enough so that they can eat grass and bugs

Thanks!
I do take them out already
Though, when they can't be outside in the pen (it's short and they can jump out so they have to be supervised constantly since there are hawks and we live by a main road) we take the cage outside so they get air and we pick them grass. I'm assuming they eat whatever bug that comes near them as well, I always see them snapping at the air, haha! So they definitely get grass and bugs. I wish my dad would get to building the coop and run though!

 

[OxbowOrchard]

Any updated feedback on Kalmbach feeds? I'm picking some up today for our 100+ Runner and Campbell ducks, 7 weeks old. Trying out the nonGMO (does't mean low pesticide though, huh?) 16% grower feed:
http://www.kalmbachfeeds.com/shopping/16-Non-GMO-Flock-Grower-Crumbles-N1016C-P388.aspx

We were using a locally mixed nonGMO source but it was an hour each way to pick up. Also, label said "No animal products" yet had fish meal in it. We're all for the fish meal for duck protein, but seemed telling that they were not keen on label details. Our ducks get a large pen to roam around in until springtime pasture rotation. Willing to try out this brand of feed since it's 5 minutes down the road to pick up, but dreaming of green pastures, raising duck weed and worms for them to eat and bring our bagged feed use down to a minimum.
Also soaking/fermenting feed in 5 gallon buckets. Highly recommended!

 

[MIchickenlady]

Any updated feedback on Kalmbach feeds? I'm picking some up today for our 100+ Runner and Campbell ducks, 7 weeks old. Trying out the nonGMO (does't mean low pesticide though, huh?) 16% grower feed:
http://www.kalmbachfeeds.com/shopping/16-Non-GMO-Flock-Grower-Crumbles-N1016C-P388.aspx

We were using a locally mixed nonGMO source but it was an hour each way to pick up. Also, label said "No animal products" yet had fish meal in it. We're all for the fish meal for duck protein, but seemed telling that they were not keen on label details. Our ducks get a large pen to roam around in until springtime pasture rotation. Willing to try out this brand of feed since it's 5 minutes down the road to pick up, but dreaming of green pastures, raising duck weed and worms for them to eat and bring our bagged feed use down to a minimum.
Also soaking/fermenting feed in 5 gallon buckets. Highly recommended!

I would also love more info on this feed since the feedmill right across the street just started carrying it. the kalmbach website does not list ingredients-a bummer since theres one ingredient i need to avoid for my daughters food allergies...guess i will call the co and see if they will tell me if that one ingredient is in their feed.
Im wondering the difference between their 'Natural' feed and the organic-since they both state they are gmo free non pesticide??
Any thoughts?? Who feed Kalmbach feed?? Please chime in!!!!!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Im wondering the difference between their 'Natural' feed and the organic-since they both state they are gmo free non pesticide??
Any thoughts??

Don't know anything about the actual brand, but "organic" has to be certified organic (grown according to legal specifications) while "natural" has no actual legal meaning, it's just a marketing phrase. If your main concern is no GMOs and both are marked no GMO, then it's up to you if you want to go with organic or not.

 

[MIchickenlady]

Don't know anything about the actual brand, but "organic" has to be certified organic (grown according to legal specifications) while "natural" has no actual legal meaning, it's just a marketing phrase. If your main concern is no GMOs and both are marked no GMO, then it's up to you if you want to go with organic or not.

Thanks for the feed feedback

 

[Cindy in PA]

I am late to this one. Just picked up some Kalmbach 17% Layer feed last week. I like to use organic & had gone to a small feed place 10 miles away, as they used to carry Blue Seal Organic Life. Turns out that is special order, so I decided to try Kalmbach regular feed. They do have all ingredients & guaranteed analysis under the download specifications button, right nest to the where to buy button. They have Natural (meaningless) 16 & 17% Layer, a 17% that is Non-GMO & a 17% Organic that is also an Omega 3 feed. The Non-GMO is Non-GMO project verified. The organic is USDA certified. I like that the percentage is higher than most layer feeds & would prefer to try the Non-GMO or organic, but the girls seem to like this feed. I will see if they can special order the other ones for me, but bought enough feed to try it for a month. I am very happy to get something other than Purina, Dumor, Nature's Best or Nutrena & the price was reasonable. One thing I noticed is that the Lysine & Methionine are higher on this feed than most others I have used. Just wanted to say that all the ingredients in their feed are on the website, in fact they have more info than most brands.

 

[Folly's place]

Please always look at the mill date on each bag of feed that you buy; it should be within a month, and then used up within another tree weeks or so. Buying old feed isn't good, no matter what brand it is!
You may need to modify your selection, depending on what's available fresh where you shop, or within reasonable driving distance. Chickens never need layer feed, if they have a good all-flock feed, and oyster shell in a separate container.
'I wouldn't be pleased with any company that sold feed labeled 'no animal products' if it contained fish meal!!! What else are they doing? That's just nuts.
It's less expensive to add the necessary amino acids to a veggie diet than to add sufficient animal proteins, and also there's this consumer driven fantasy that 'vegetarian fed' hens produce better eggs. Just check out the egg department at the grocery store!
Mary