I was reading on another list where people are feeding their chickens hog finisher since its cheaper than chicken feed right now. Has anyone any experience with this?
Ive done it when I was low on chicken feed but not consistantly. I will recount my friends exp's. He has been feeding his hog finisher for years and has a fine flock of chickens. Ive never seen him have any problems with his chickens.
Hog finisher will run about 12% to 14% protein. There is not alot of difference in the make up of the 2 feeds. However there is some difference. You will need more protein to start with. Both feeds have low fiber content. If I had hog finisher on hand and ran out of chicken feed i would use it.
I too just purchased the local feed mills brand of "Pork maker". 80% corn and a protien suppliment added. The reason is that I can't find any pullet developer reation anywhere around here, and I need to start dropping the protien level in my feed. I'm mixing it with 20% grower crumbs to get the protien down below 18%. Even a little lower would be better. Until they start laying.....I've have found in the past that it's a good idea to listen to the folks at your local elevator. most of your developer/grower rations are mostly made up of corn anyway.
someone at my local feed store told me that people here buy hog finisher to feed to their laying hens, and when fed with regular food it practically doubles egg production. idk id thats even possible. im new at this. i have a flock of 25 and 1 rooster (i think) they are only 6 wks old
There is not enough methionine in a hog feed for great growth in a chicken. If you intend to feed layers then you will be feeding them a rations that will be severely deficient in phosphorus and calcium as well as methionine.