Egg Layers

Require a specific layer chick starter. Most layer starter feeds contain 18-20% protein, feed this layer starter feed, until 18-20 weeks of age, or the first egg, whichever comes first. Egg layer starter feeds are formulated to give chicks what they need to prepare their bodies for egg production. Provide chick sized grit and plenty of fresh water.

Once you receive the first eggs, you may switch to a layer pellet ration. With some feed configurations, if the label says to do so, a prelay or developer feed may be used in place of the layer starter feed, after 8 weeks of age, up to the point of lay. It is always recommend to switch to a layer pellet once the birds are in production. NEVER use a broiler or meat bird feed in place of a layer feed, they are formulated differently. We do not recommend using an "all flock" or "all purpose" type poultry feed in place of a layer ration, they are formulated differently, and are not intended for use with high production layer breeds, such as the breeds which we offer.

Typically, egg layer breeds will not lay well, or at all, if fed a meat bird feed.

*Always provide plenty of fresh water, oyster shell, and hen sized grit for your laying hens.

When ready to molt your mature birds, feed a 20% broiler feed and if using lighting, decrease lighting to below 10 hours per day. Note: this will cause your flock to stop laying entirely. We recommend allowing your flock to molt once every year to a year and a half. Allow your flock to molt for 3 to 4 weeks, then place them back on their layer feed diet, and bump your lighting back up above 12-14 hours of light per day, within 2-3 weeks, your birds should be back in production and laying again!

Turkey Poults

Require a 26% or higher, protein mash or crumble starter feed. 28% protein is optimum. DO NOT attempt to start our turkeys on a broiler starter feed (23% protein or less), as the risk of tendon and ligament damage, and a condition called "Spraddle Leg" increases.

Feed the turkey starter feed for the first 8 weeks, then switch to a turkey grower feed, with a crude protein level of 22%. Feed this until the poults are 14 weeks old, then move to a 16% protein turkey finisher feed to maintain weight until processing, and to obtain best results.

Ducks intended for general purposes or egg production should follow this schedule:

Always give ducklings access to water for at least an hour before feeding. We recommend always using a chick starter with 20% + protein for the first 10 weeks, switching to a 15% grower weeks 10-18, and a 16% layer after 18 weeks.

Ducks intendented for meat production should follow this schedule:

Always give ducklings access to water for at least an hour before feeding. We recommend using a chick starter with 20% + protein for the entire growout period, usually 7-7.5 weeks for Hybrid Jumbo Pekins, and 12-14 weeks for Khaki Campbells.