I use Purina Show Chow Broiler feed as it has a 22+% protien content and has extra oil in it. It keeps our birds well feathered, keeps up egg production and gives them a little more fat to keep warm without heat lamps during most of our winters. Even in the summer, our lows can be around 40 at night (I had frost get my tomatoes and potatoes yesterday). I also feed extra vitamins in the water one week out of every month and everyone gets yogurt and probiotics once a week. Oh, they also are free range in the summer and receive our table scraps. I do use Oxine in the water during the summer and mist the birds and their premises twice a month with it as well.
I have to keep in mind that we have alot of environmental stress factors to deal with as well as egg production, breeding, etc. We do have at least a 40F degree swing between daytime and nighttime temps in the summer here and are below zero in Dec. (And you all thought Arizona was just hot and desert!
) The better I feed the birds, the healthier they stay.
Oh, they also get some scratch, but that is mostly as \"candy\" when I work with them or call them in for the night - I don\'t figure it in for any portion of their protien, fat, etc. level.
Kathy
Oh...I make sure they have fresh water at all times and have free access to ground oyster shells as the Show Chow Broiler does not have enough calcium to fill the hens needs.