05/20/2023
I get asked a lot about feeding,
supplements and with the big debate over tractor supply feed and chickens laying.
So i thought i would post some information to keep your flock beautiful and boujee!
Over supplementing minerals and vitamins is honestly as bad for the flock as not getting enough of the nutrients they need. When I had just my backyard flock i ordered Kalmbach 20% protein feed…the one that helped beautiful feathers. My ladies never molted this year and that was a blessing…Even on Autoship, it was expensive. As my flock grew and I started hatching …I needed something a little more local and not as expensive. 35 dollars a bag is great for a small flock but 3 bags weekly was breaking the bank.
I did a ton of research and reading and IMO ( just my opinion and good for
my flock) in order to be able to tell if i was over or under supplementing …My conclusion was to find a complete feed. Adding oyster shell, vitamins, healthy snacks, higher protein…It became a full time job and one that i must admits i was not good at. It was to much and honestly may have done them more harm the. good with my intentions!
Owning goats and realizing what our West Texas land is lacking Selenium and copper which is as important for our flocks as it is goats. Vitamin E is especially as important with chickens as it j helps their heat resistance and deficiencies are passed down from hens to our chicks and hatching eggs!
I needed to find a complete feed that had it all. Then there was no guessing about keeping them healthy and beautiful.
i was mixing and blending and I am still not sure that i had me what they needed or if I was over supplementing. I was visiting with my chicken flock mentor and he mentioned Big V Feeds out of Oklahoma to me. i was already googling and trying to find how I could get it here. Well low and behold when i went to Feed King in New Deal…they had just started carrying it and the prices were no more than Dumor but the nutrients were so on point that they need zero supplements. I got medicated chick starter for chicks i am hatching…they are not given the merck’s vaccines. Vaccinated chicks do not need medicated feed. Come back tomorrow for more info on chicken nurtrion!
DISCLAIMER: I do not work or have any affiliations with Feed King or Big V feeds.