A hen coming into lay for the first time has different nutritional needs to a hen that's been laying for months, which is why layers feeds are formulated as their own category rather than just a slightly richer version of a growers ration.

Argo Golden Yolk Layers Meal combines maize bran, wheat, wheatfeed, soya, rape, grass, calcium carbonate, molasses and added vitamins and minerals. Analysis gives 17% crude protein, 3% crude oil, 7% crude fibre, 10% crude ash, 2.5% calcium and 0.6% phosphorus, fed on an ad-lib basis with clean water. Argo say it's intended from point of lay, around 18 to 20 weeks, and that it contains no artificial yolk colourants — the golden colour comes from maize and grass in the mix instead.

• Crude protein 17%, crude oil 3%, crude fibre 7%, crude ash 10%
• Calcium 2.5%, phosphorus 0.6%
• Composition includes maize bran, wheat, wheatfeed, soya, rape, grass, calcium carbonate, molasses
• Fed on an ad-lib basis with clean fresh water
• No artificial yolk colourants — colour comes from maize and grass
• 5kg or 20kg bag

One thing worth knowing. The soya in this mix is stated as produced from genetically modified soya beans, which is easy to miss lower down a long ingredient list — worth flagging if that's something you check for in a feed.

Who it's for: keepers moving hens onto a layers ration for the first time, or anyone who specifically wants a natural-colour yolk feed rather than one relying on a synthetic colourant.