Layer feed

[StickInsect123]

Hi everyone! Just wondering what the best layer feed is for our 16 week old chickens? We have the Peckish brand at our local Petbarn and we found these three layer feeds, not sure what the difference is between them all:

Free range layer mix which appears to be just a mix of grains and seeds (14 percent protien)

Performance poultry layer pellets (18 percent protein)

Performance layer mix which looks to be a mix of pellets and grains and seeds (also 18 percent protein)

Just preparing for when they're 18 weeks

Thanks in advance!

 

[nuthatched]

The second, though I wouldn't feed layer until about 25 weeks.

 

[Debbie292d]

I would try find an all-flock version as that they can have from day-old chicks all through their adulthood.

That's usually 20% protein and less calcium, so better for chicks and roosters. You'll have to put out a feeder of oyster shell for the laying hens.

 

[StickInsect123]

The second, though I wouldn't feed layer until about 25 weeks.

Thanks! Does it matter which breed the chickens are? I have light sussexes and coronation sussexes

 

[StickInsect123]

I would try find an all-flock version as that they can have from day-old chicks all through their adulthood.

That's usually 20% protein and less calcium, so better for chicks and roosters. You'll have to put out a feeder of oyster shell for the laying hens.

Thankyou, I wasn't aware of that option!

 

[Debbie292d]

Thankyou, I wasn't aware of that option!

It really makes life easier just having one feed here. They all eat the same crumbles. I sometimes make mash out of it with water and they dive into that!

 

[nuthatched]

Thanks! Does it matter which breed the chickens are? I have light sussexes and coronation sussexes

Not at all.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I could not find an Analysis for Peckish brand feeds, which means I would not consider using it. I'm not talking about an ingredients list, I'm talking about the nutritional content. Most feeds show the percent protein, fiber, fats, and various necessary minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. To me the ingredients are of minor interest, it is the analysis that is important. Protein is one important factor but is by far not the only one.

The timing chart is based on commercial egg laying flocks where the hens are bred to start laying early and they control when they actually start by manipulating lights. They delay laying a little bit to avoid a lot of the start-up problems pullets can have and to have commercial sized eggs when they do start laying.

My chickens are not commercial layers managed under commercial conditions. And I usually have a mixed age flock. That means some are still immature while others are laying. I feed a low calcium feed to all of them and offer oyster shells on the side. The ones that need calcium for the eggshells tend to eat all they need and the ones that only need a little calcium don't eat enough to harm themselves.