Barastoc Poultry Feed & Animal Nutrition Products

Yes. Barastoc is 100% Australian made and owned, part of the Ridley Group which is Australia's largest independent supplier of high-performance animal nutrition. All ingredients are sourced from Australian farmers through a professional procurement process and subjected to quality testing before use. The feeds are manufactured at Ridley's Australian facilities, which collectively produce close to 1.9 million tonnes of finished feeds and feed ingredients each year.

The three Barastoc poultry feeds at The Vet Shed are designed for different life stages. The Chick Starter is a high-protein crumble for newly hatched chicks from day one through to approximately six to eight weeks of age, supporting rapid early growth and immune development. The Pullet Grower takes birds from the starter phase through to point of lay, with a formulation adjusted to the growth needs of developing pullets that are not yet producing eggs. The Golden Yolk is the adult layer feed, designed to support consistent egg production and the deep, rich yolk colour that well-nourished laying hens produce. Moving birds through these stages at the right time ensures they are always eating a feed matched to their current nutritional requirements.

The transition from Chick Starter to Pullet Grower is typically made at around six to eight weeks of age, once the chicks are well feathered and growing strongly. The higher protein content of the chick starter is most valuable in those first weeks of rapid development. Transitioning too early reduces growth rate, while staying on starter too long delivers excess protein that is wasteful and can stress the kidneys of developing birds.

Switch from Pullet Grower to the Golden Yolk layer feed at around 16 to 18 weeks of age or when hens begin showing signs of approaching lay, such as a reddening and enlargement of the comb and wattles. The layer feed contains the higher calcium levels needed for strong eggshell formation, which is not required and can actually be harmful to birds that are not yet producing eggs. Timing this transition correctly supports healthy laying from the start.

Yes. Barastoc has a well-regarded horse feed range developed in partnership with Kentucky Equine Research (KER), one of the world's leading equine nutrition research organisations. We are expanding our Barastoc range at The Vet Shed and will be adding equine products. If there is a specific Barastoc horse feed you are looking for, get in touch with our team and we can advise on availability.

The key difference is formulation. Generic grain mixes provide energy but may lack the precise balance of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other nutrients that animals need at each life stage. Barastoc feeds are developed by qualified animal nutritionists with decades of experience, and each product is formulated to meet the specific nutritional requirements of the species and life stage it targets. The ingredients are also tested for quality before use, which is not a standard feature of basic grain products. For backyard poultry keepers, using a properly formulated feed like Barastoc means consistently healthier birds, better egg production and reduced losses compared to grain-only feeding.

You can buy Barastoc poultry feeds right here at The Vet Shed. We stock the Chick Starter 10kg, Pullet Grower 10kg and Golden Yolk 10kg with fast shipping to addresses across Australia.