Grower vs All flock - what is better for mixed flock?

[KnightsMist]

I have a flock of adult hens, young pullets, and 2 roosters - all chickens, no other species. They free range daily most of the year but also have food 24/7. Before I got the roosters, I was feeding grower or layer pellets depending on ages of chickens, but I recently added a couple young roosters to my flock. I know the extra calcium in layer feed isn't good for them but I'm getting mixed feedback on what I should feed instead - keep everyone on a grower feed permanently or feed an all flock pellet (either way with oyster shells and grit on the side). For those of you with mixed age and hen/roo flocks, what do you feed? I recently switched to Blue Seal All Flock but now I'm having doubts after someone else went on a tirade about how terrible all flock feeds are.

 

[swamphiker]

I feed all flock instead of starter/grower because starter/grower is only available in crumbles at my local feed store, while all flock comes in pellets. I prefer pellets because they reduce waste.

I haven't had any issues with all flock feed, what are others' problems with it?

 

[TooCheep]

All-flock and grower are basically the same thing. I'd ask the person on the tirade what specifically is different. Grower is almost always crumble: smaller for chicks. All-flock is usually full-sized pellets. Larger pellets = less dust.

Either would work, but I would definitely tend towards the all-flock. The rest of your plan sounds fine.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

That feed looks decent to me.
22% Protein
1.25% Lysine
0.50% Methionine

Those are all good numbers (the protein is higher than most all flock feeds, which are usually between 18-20%, but I don't think 22% is *too* high)

The only thing I see that's weird about that feed is there's a *tiny* amount of Amprolium in it, which is a coccidostat used to prevent coccidiosis (typically found in medicated chick feed, but Ive never seen it in an all flock feed). I'm not sure it would be adviseable to feed that long term, as Amprolium blocks thiamine (B1). Purina and Nutrena both have good all flock options (without Amprolium).

 

[KnightsMist]

That feed looks decent to me.
22% Protein
1.25% Lysine
0.50% Methionine

Those are all good numbers (the protein is higher than most all flock feeds, which are usually between 18-20%, but I don't think 22% is *too* high)

The only thing I see that's weird about that feed is there's a *tiny* amount of Amprolium in it, which is a coccidostat used to prevent coccidiosis (typically found in medicated chick feed, but Ive never seen it in an all flock feed). I'm not sure it would be adviseable to feed that long term, as Amprolium blocks thiamine (B1). Purina and Nutrena both have good all flock options (without Amprolium).

Thanks, I was just looking at protein and other levels yesterday and totally missed that it has Amprolium! Yes I would agree for long term probably not the best, I'll shop around for a different feed. Thanks!

 

[KnightsMist]

I feed all flock instead of starter/grower because starter/grower is only available in crumbles at my local feed store, while all flock comes in pellets. I prefer pellets because they reduce waste.

I haven't had any issues with all flock feed, what are others' problems with it?

A very long winded, and mostly irrelevant in my situation, rant about how different species of birds and different ages need different levels of proteins and minerals etc and all flock can't be everything to every bird. But again, I just have chickens, and no plans to add any geese/ducks/turkeys/etc to my farm now or in the future.

 

[KnightsMist]

I just looked up info online and don't see Amprolium listed. There is a chick starter that looks the same, same color bag, and has it. But the one I have for adults I don't think does, per the nutritional info here
https://kentfeeds.com/product/home-fresh-multi-flock-breeder-pellet/

That feed looks decent to me.
22% Protein
1.25% Lysine
0.50% Methionine

Those are all good numbers (the protein is higher than most all flock feeds, which are usually between 18-20%, but I don't think 22% is *too* high)

The only thing I see that's weird about that feed is there's a *tiny* amount of Amprolium in it, which is a coccidostat used to prevent coccidiosis (typically found in medicated chick feed, but Ive never seen it in an all flock feed). I'm not sure it would be adviseable to feed that long term, as Amprolium blocks thiamine (B1). Purina and Nutrena both have good all flock options (without Amprolium)

 

[ChickyCh00k]

I just looked up info online and don't see Amprolium listed. There is a chick starter that looks the same, same color bag, and has it. But the one I have for adults I don't think does, per the nutritional info here
https://kentfeeds.com/product/home-fresh-multi-flock-breeder-pellet/

Oh that's weird!

I just clicked on the listing for Chewy.com and it had a picture of the Multi-Flock bag, but the nutritional info for the "multi flock chick and game starter grower"! Sorry about that!

So yes, the BREEDER multi-flock feed that you have looks fine!

18% Protein
0.9% Lysine
0.45% Methionine

Still good numbers (and no Amprolium, lol)!

 

[TooCheep]

Oh that's weird!

I just clicked on the listing for Chewy.com and it had a picture of the Multi-Flock bag, but the nutritional info for the "multi flock chick and game starter grower"! Sorry about that!

So yes, the BREEDER multi-flock feed that you have looks fine!

18% Protein
0.9% Lysine
0.45% Methionine

Still good numbers (and no Amprolium, lol)!

Yup. They have multiple feeds with what appears to be identical front labeling. Very odd. I'm sure it says it somewhere on the bag, but each feed should be clearly labeled.

 

[SourRoses]

They're just names, both offer similar nutrition. Both better than layer, which besides the calcium is a lesser feed due to the low protein.
Most of us prefer at least 20% protein, feathers grow healthier, young birds finish faster, etc.