The math is a good place to start. But, it is not taking into account the fact that the grains/seeds you have bought are not providing a complete diet for your flock, even if you do sprout or ferment them. Keep in mind that sprouting and fermenting are very different processes. Are you saying that you will no longer feed your flock a processed feed (multi flock or layer pellets)? If your flock has access to good quality free range, this might work. Even so, if the range is good quality, I predict they will choose the range over a tub of sprouts. If they only have access to a typical run or back yard, then I predict that you will be facing some severe nutritional issues.So here is my math...but I may be way off on my estimates:
1. I think I have ~30 chickens (when you have that many and they are the kids...you really stop trying to count and just say "I have too many".) I just buy the food when they are low so the following are guestimates on my current usage:
A. Currently:
(3) bags of 50 lb feed/mnth @$15/bag = $45
(2) bags 50 lb cracked corn @ $9/bag = $18 (kids prob over feed this, but it is what it is)
Total: $63/month in feed
B. Estimate with fermenting feed and fodder
I bought the following yesterday:
(2) 50lb barley @ $13/bag
(2) 50 lb wheat @ $13/bag
(1) 25 lb sunflower seeds @ $15/bag
Total is 250 lbs seeds x 6 (estimate on weight gain with fodder) = 1500 lbs green food/$67 spent = $0.044/lb of food
So to feed my 30 piggy chickens: (fig 2 lbs per each in food per week)
(2) bags of 50 lb feed/mnth @$15/bag = $30
30x1lb fodder x 4 weeks = 120 lbs fodder/month @ $0.044/lb = $5.28
So hopefully $35.28/mnth which is about 50% savings. As to if that will really happen...will find out this next few months