Why does this all flock feed from tractor supply say it's only for adult birds?

[tickens33]

The nutritional analysis seems pretty much the same as most 20% protein starter feeds, when you compare protein, fat, fiber, and calcium. We didn't read the bit about "adult hens only" when we first bought it, just glanced at the nutritional analysis.

Is this going to be bad for our birds in some way? They are 15 or 16 weeks (I lost track). We previously used an all flock feed of a different brand for all ages, which is why we didn't look too hard at this one before buying

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/natures-best-organic-all-flock-crumbles-40-lb-4bm0290c

 

[Debbie292d]

I'm not familiar with this brand. We use Kalmbach's version called Flock Maker and it's for day old chicks all the way up to when they start laying eggs.

It's saying it's for maintenance, but not for growing chicks nor laying hens. So that sure narrows it down.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

My guess, and I could be wrong, is they're saying it's not for "active layers" because it doesn't have enough calcium (which can be remedied via offering free choice oyster shell on the side), but I'm not sure why it would say not for growing birds or why it would be labeled an "all flock" feed if it's not suitable for the whole flock?!?

@U_Stormcrow any ideas?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

My guess, and I could be wrong, is they're saying it's not for "active layers" because it doesn't have enough calcium (which can be remedied via offering free choice oyster shell on the side), but I'm not sure why it would say not for growing birds or why it would be labeled an "all flock" feed if it's not suitable for the whole flock?!?

@U_Stormcrow any ideas?

Yes. *Mostly* its marketing. You are correct, there's not enough calcium for active layers - which most of us provide via free choice oyster shell or similar. Its not a medicated feed, which some thing is important in their "Starter" formulation (a very personal, and fact specific discussion I won't re-start here). The Lysine level is very good - great for muscle formation, particularly breast muscle - though if you are raising meaties a higher level is better still.

The Met level is the minimum recommend for adult production layers. Higher levels (0.35 - 0.45) will benefit hatchlings and adolescents. Met, of course, is the very hardest AA to get from plant sources, and since there isn't a lot of organic soy grown (one of the best plant sources for Met), its not at all surprising that they targetted the minimum maintenance recommend.

But mostly market segmentation

 

[U_Stormcrow]

and yes, they are usuing organic soy and organic alfalfa meals in an effort to get the Met as high as it is. Its not that there is none grown,its that there isn't a lot grown.

 

[Rdh1223]

I just bought a bag of Nature's best organic all flock same as OP, my chickens will be 6 months old next week 2 of 6 are laying almost daily and have been for about 3 weeks. Can I use this product and provide calcium on the side?

 

[tlcmurphy]

I just bought a bag of Nature's best organic all flock same as OP, my chickens will be 6 months old next week 2 of 6 are laying almost daily and have been for about 3 weeks. Can I use this product and provide calcium on the side?

Yes, we feed All Flock to laying hens with oyster shell provided separately

 

[Stitchaquilt3]

The nutritional analysis seems pretty much the same as most 20% protein starter feeds, when you compare protein, fat, fiber, and calcium. We didn't read the bit about "adult hens only" when we first bought it, just glanced at the nutritional analysis.

Is this going to be bad for our birds in some way? They are 15 or 16 weeks (I lost track). We previously used an all flock feed of a different brand for all ages, which is why we didn't look too hard at this one before buying

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/natures-best-organic-all-flock-crumbles-40-lb-4bm0290c

Your birds will be just fine. I've had many chicks grow up eating everything the big girls ate. Never a problem. I start my chicks out on starter feed, then grower feed. By three weeks old I've evicted the chicks and they have moved out to the coop/run. I put their feeder inside an open dog kennel along with their water. After about two more weeks they are all eating each other's food. I just don't worry about it. I have happy healthy hens and chicks all living together giving us plenty of eggs.