What are quality feeds?

[Riven]

What are some of the better quality feeds available? I'm looking to move up to maybe a better complete feed, I'm currently on the CountryLane, from Orscheln's.

Thanks!

 

[crtrlovr]

I haven't tried very many different kinds, but thus far my favorite is Purina Sunfresh feeds. They have many different varieties for chickens of various ages, other poultry, gamebirds, etc. It has plant proteins instead of "meat byproducts" and other questionable protein sources. It always smells fresh, has very little dust, and IMO has a good conversion ratio. (There is much less poop when they're on Purina Sunfresh either the Layena or the Flock Raiser, and it is MUCH less smelly!). I've used the Dumor brand from TSC when I'd run out of Purina, but I don't like it as well, and neither do the chickens. So far my least favorite is the Southern States brand. The grind is too fine; it's supposed to be crumbles but it is more like a mash. It is very dusty and the birds don't like (or eat) the "dusty" fine stuff. In my book, the Purina is the way to go.

 

[newchickmom]

I need another feeder and decided they are just too darn expensive.

So, I decided I'm going to just make my own out of a 5gal bucket.

 

[princess araucana]

I'm curious what people think too. Is Blue Seal good? I've been using the Egg Maker and have nothing left to compare it too....

 

[Big C]

We use Purina Sunfresh. There is no "organic" that is available for an affordable price that rates with it.
We make up the difference by haying our native grass fields and using it as treats and nesting. As well as buying round bales of bermuda hay (non herbicidal) for the same purposes.

 

[Riven]

Tell me more, tell me more!

I don't know about Purina as far as chicken feed ( which is why I'm asking!) but I know for my chins, Purina doesn't compare, and they don't really make a quality dog food that I'm aware of either. I'm all for natural ingredients and holistic, that's how I go with my other pets!

So lets hear more feeds so I can find out what we have around here!

 

[cybercat]

Purnina is not the best out there but it is not the worst either. Many like it is a veggi diet but unfortunatly chickens are NOT vegitarians but omnivors. They need meat in their diet to really thrive and do much better with it. Just do a search on here for thos that compare the 2 and you will see how those that change how their chickens improved.

Feeds are regional so you need to find what is carried in your area. Feed stores are differnt than feed mills and co-ops. Check your yellow pages for feed store and feed mills. You might have to drive some but most of the time it is worth it.

It always amases me how wastefull people can be. When one gets feed that has fine grains it gets tossed instead of turned into a thick mash. If you just a water let it get absorbed then stir it chickens will eat it and they love it that way.

 

[trilyn]

Quote:
Yes, Blue Seal rocks! I love that feed, it's always fresh, consistent high quality and it smells so good when you crack open that bag! The birds love it and they're poop does not stink, you definitely do not get a lot of output for their input! lol *wink* I know it's available pretty much all over the country, in some parts of the country it is called Kent. Here's the link to the site:

http://www.blueseal.com/livestock/poultry/

For those of you wanting to go organic, they've got a wonderful organic line also. It is roughly 25.00 per 50 lbs, again depending on your location. Hope this helps someone!

 

[Bluemoon420]

We use purina flockraiser, and ours free range during the day. It's the best one I found so far. One of our local feed stores, had a local brand, but our chickens wouldn't eat it. I ended up switching them back to the flockraiser.
They eat plenty of bugs ( They LOVE dragonflies) and what not during the day, so i wasn't worried about the veggie thing.

Bluemoon

 

[Chiefs Mess]

I used Purina Sunfresh also, I was not impressed with the brand Tractor Supply sells.

I had nice eggs and I was happy. I did sell eggs to a Vegetarian. When I told her there was no meat by products in the feed she was very happy. As for the chickens eating bugs she realized that, she was not a die hard Veggie. lol