making home-made feed

What if you start them as chicks?

I don't know about chicks personally (I've never raised chicks), but Greener Pastures has a chick start recipe.

If you are looking for a good-homemade recipe I would use the one Kooshie gave you.
I'm not a fan of making homemade feed but wishing you luck

Quote:
thank you for the information i am going to give this a try.
thanks wolly

I'd like to make my own chicken feed. Although commercial feed is "complete", I think my chickens would love a home-made complete feed. Can anyone share any other recipes or links for places I can buy whole grains on the Internet? I'd like to try to make it as cost effective as possible. Thanks!

I mix my own feed. The recipe is pretty simple, but can be added/ modified with regard to nutrient balance if need be...

I use 50# wheat, 50# millet, 50# alfalfa pellets, 40# BOSS, 25# corn, 25# sorghum, 10# molasses, and 10# oyster shell.

Sometimes I ferment it too if I feel the mood strike

shortgrass said:

I mix my own feed. The recipe is pretty simple, but can be added/ modified with regard to nutrient balance if need be...

I use 50# wheat, 50# millet, 50# alfalfa pellets, 40# BOSS, 25# corn, 25# sorghum, 10# molasses, and 10# oyster shell.

Sometimes I ferment it too if I feel the mood strike

Click to expand...

Thanks! I'm just researching this now. Maybe this is an obvious question, but what does the # sign mean after the number? Is that pounds? Where do you buy the bulk grain?

RubyNala97 said:

Thanks! I'm just researching this now. Maybe this is an obvious question, but what does the # sign mean after the number? Is that pounds? Where do you buy the bulk grain?

Click to expand...

Oh, yep. My apologies, the # means pounds


Most of our grain and alfalfa is grown on site; we grow commercial grains. We trade here and there with neighbors or family. For example, a neighbor has Sunflowers and pumpkins, and we trade with wheat

I do get my millet from here;
http://cleandirtfarm.com

Sometimes they help me out in finding some good deals on local grains too.

I try to stay local as possible. My molasses came from Denver spice company once lol

Oyster shell, I found a good deal at an organic greenhouse, of all places; its surprising how much you can find local sometimes, but I'm smack dab in the center of about 15 granaries, so I have options others might not have. But sources don't have to be granaries. Feedlots, breweries, small family farmers, etc...

I spotted my BOSS supplier from the interstate, just gawking one day, so I stopped and started asking questions lol

If you're looking for organic suppliers, you might be able to search for your individual states' registered organic growers or suppliers. It'll give you a good start, anyway

shortgrass said:

Oh, yep. My apologies, the # means pounds


Most of our grain and alfalfa is grown on site; we grow commercial grains. We trade here and there with neighbors or family. For example, a neighbor has Sunflowers and pumpkins, and we trade with wheat

I do get my millet from here;
http://cleandirtfarm.com

Sometimes they help me out in finding some good deals on local grains too.

I try to stay local as possible. My molasses came from Denver spice company once lol

Oyster shell, I found a good deal at an organic greenhouse, of all places; its surprising how much you can find local sometimes, but I'm smack dab in the center of about 15 granaries, so I have options others might not have. But sources don't have to be granaries. Feedlots, breweries, small family farmers, etc...

I spotted my BOSS supplier from the interstate, just gawking one day, so I stopped and started asking questions lol

If you're looking for organic suppliers, you might be able to search for your individual states' registered organic growers or suppliers. It'll give you a good start, anyway

Click to expand...

Ok thank you! I'm going to start searching around locally. I live in a somewhat urban area but a half hour drive, in each direction, there's farm land. My quest begins. Thank you so much!