[The Relic]

i usually give my chooks layers crumble (for birds over 8 weeks) but yer man who i buy the food off gave me chick food (for birds under 8 weeks) by mistake (i didnt notice either). i looked at the ingredients and they are nearly identical (some % a little lower some higher). what i noticed with the crumble for the older birds is that there seem to be much more dusty crumble which the birds dont eat in it. what my question is would it be ok to feed the bird the chick crumble all the time as there will be less wastage. they are free range so can graze and dig up critters.

[MiriMaran]

I thought chick food was too high in protein for hens.  Have you checked the protein difference on the labels.

[The Relic]

yes older birds 17% younger 19.5%

[shetlandpaul]

whats the cost difference.

[The Relic]

same price but less waste (dusty stuff) id say nearly  1/5 to 1/7 of the bag contains it. just a guess

[dixie]

chicks need a higher protein feed than hens, the only difference is that if you eat the birds they may taste 'fishy' if fed on higher protein, short term ok for the health of the hens but I wouldn't feed in the long term or if they are meat birds.

[The Relic]

cheers

[shetlandpaul]

have you tried the pellets you get a lot less dust.

[The Relic]

yer man who i bought them off said to keep them on the crumble (not the same guy i buy the feed off lol) as sometimes when you change over their egg production drops. they have given me an egg a day each since i got them so i dont want to jinx it.

[dixie]

Change it grasually over a few days, its wont make any difference, certainly less waste!

[MiriMaran]

I've always ought Layers Pellets and bought the crumble stuff by accident once.  I wasn't keen on it as it was very dusty and messy. Like Dixie said if you change over gradually it won't be a problem.

[shetlandpaul]

if you get the same make it should be the same ingredients but check.