Nutrena vs Purina vs Organic Chicken Feed: Which One Is Right For Me
Chicken feed is an essential part of raising chickens. It provides them with the necessary nutrients to grow and stay healthy.
Choosing the right type of chicken feed can be overwhelming, especially when there are so many options available on the market.
In this blog post, we will discuss three popular brands – Nutrena, Purina, and Organic Chicken Feed – and help you choose which one is best for your needs.
Chicken Feed Consumption Chart:
There are several factors that determine how much chicken feed a bird should consume per day.
These include their age, weight, breed, and activity level.
Here’s a consumption chart that can help you estimate how much feed your birds need:
- Young chicks (up to 8 weeks old): 10% of their body weight in feed per day
- Growing chicks (9-24 weeks old): 3-5% of their body weight in feed per day
- Layers (over 6 months old): 2-3% of their body weight in feed per day
- Broilers (meat chickens) (up to 16 weeks old): 2-3% of their body weight in feed per day
Types of Chicken Feeds:
There are four main types of chicken feeds available on the market:
1. Starter/Grower Feed: This feed is designed for young chicks up to 8 weeks old. It contains high levels of protein and energy to support growth and development.
2. Layer Feed: This feed is formulated specifically for layers and includes added calcium and vitamins to promote egg production.
3. Poultry Feed: Also known as broiler or meat chicken feed, this feed is used for growing chickens up to 16 weeks old. It contains higher levels of protein than layer feed but lower levels of calcium.
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4. Medicated Feed: This feed contains antibiotics to prevent disease outbreaks among flocks. However, it is not recommended for use in backyard settings due to potential environmental impacts.
Best Chicken Feed for Your Needs:
Now that you know about the different types of chicken feeds available, let’s talk about which brand is best for your needs.
Nutrena vs Purina vs Organic Chicken Feed: Which One Is Right For You?
All three brands offer quality chicken feeds that meet the nutritional requirements of chickens.
However, each brand has its own unique features and benefits. Let’s take a closer look at each one:
Nutrena:
This brand offers a wide range of chicken feeds, including starter/grower, layer, poultry, and medicated feeds.
They also have specialized feeds for heritage breeds and show chickens. Nutrena feeds are made with natural ingredients like corn, wheat, and fish meal, and they contain added vitamins and minerals to support overall health and wellness.
Additionally, Nutrena feeds are certified by the American Humane Association, meaning they meet rigorous standards for animal welfare.
Purina:
Like Nutrena, Purina offers a variety of chicken feeds, including starter/grower, layer, poultry, and medicated feeds.
Their feeds are made with high-quality ingredients like corn, soybean meal, and animal fat. Purina feeds are also enriched with vitamins and minerals to support strong bones, healthy eggs, and vibrant plumage.
Another benefit of Purina feeds is that they are formulated to be more palatable, which means your chickens are more likely to eat them without any hesitation.
Organic Chicken Feed:
If you prefer to use organic feed, then this may be the option for you.
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Organic feeds must meet certain criteria set forth by the USDA, including being grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides and containing only natural ingredients.
While organic feeds tend to be more expensive than conventional feeds, they are free from chemical additives and provide a healthier alternative for both your chickens and the environment.
