How to save money on chicken feed?

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Donnigan

Donnigan

Chirping
Apr 30, 2016
261
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I have 50-60 laying chickens and 3 pekin ducks. Feed is getting really expensive! I buy scratch and laying pellets. I sell the eggs for 2-3 dollars a dozen( one customer always 'forgets' to pay) is that a good price? So called exra large cage free eggs( not much bigger then my bantams eggs) are selling for 5-7 dollars at my local grocery store! I fill up a goat feeding tub about every 3 or 4 days. Some hens will stand in there and eat all day! I try to free range them when i can. Is there any other way i can save money? Thanks
 
A lot of folks see savings by using fermented feed -- you can find some information on that here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/645057/fermented-feeds-anyone-using-them

Another thing to consider is how much feed is being lost to "waste" vs. actually being consumed by the birds.....next time you fill the feeder, weigh the amount of feed it holds, knowing the actual amount of feed being gone through in 3-4 days with the number of birds being fed will figure into whether you are experiencing an abnormal amount of feed go out or if you are just seeing the reality of feeding that many birds.
 
I would stop buying scratch and use kitchen scraps for treats instead. And yes you could increase the cost of your eggs, as long as they sell you can make them as high as you would like.
 
Thanks! I know That small birds rats and mice are getting into my hen house and eating the feed. Should i stop free-feeding?
 
Alternatively, as most small rodent feed thieves prefer to dine at night and since the birds have no need for feed while at roost, you can remove the feed (or, perhaps simpler, cover it) from dusk to dawn
 

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