Let's try to come up with an inexpensive way to feed our chickens, that way, the feed companies will have to lower their prices to increase sales again
. If you have any organic recipes, that would be awesome!
Everyone, post your best homemade chicken feed recipes!
- Thread starter jmofaustin
- Start date
Oh, my gosh! You were reading my mind! I've been working on some formulas this week, soon as I get the dollars and cents worked out I'll post.
Great thread idea, jmofaustin! Looking forward to everyone's input!!
Great thread idea, jmofaustin! Looking forward to everyone's input!!
- Thread starter
- #3
Cool Mudhen, can't wait till you post it, anyone else? Yay!
I've had this thought bouncing around as well. Lots of research to do though, and not much time for it. This is great, though, I'll be able to 'borrow' everyone else's research!
Awsome Idea!!
I'm real new at this love for chickens thing. But I would love to use those recipes when ya's post them.
Thanks in Advance!!
Thanks in Advance!!
We have a local produce shop that sells seed in bins so you can choose a bit of this and a bit of that then they weigh it separately.
I am going to try and think up a nice mix and try it on them and do the costing.
Ill research this as well so I know what to add to the mix.
I am going to try and think up a nice mix and try it on them and do the costing.
Ill research this as well so I know what to add to the mix.
OK, here goes:
I've been doing an lot of reading over the past few months on this, and I am sure I am probably doing something wrong, so those of you with more knowledge, correct me please.
I want to provide a 1:1 ratio of mash:scratch. The layer mash I get has 18% protein.
In any ratio of mash to scratch, the minimum to maintain is 15% protein. I am going for 22-24% protein.
A scratch mixture of at least two grains is usually best for the laying hen, so I've overdone it and am using four. Each has a varying degree of energy content and benefits. You don't want any grain to be more than 50% of the scratch feed. Also, I've read that it is best usually fed in late afternoon and that overfeeding of the scratch will lower the feed intake of the mash and decrease their protein intake.
I am aware that summer/winter seasons will make a difference in the feed ratios, and that wether or not hens free-range also makes a difference.
So this mix is based on the fact that my hens do not free-range, get veggie/leafy greens in AM, and this mash/scratch mix in afternoon beginning in July of this year (when my pullets will be 19 wks old.)
100# Layer Mash:Scratch mix =
50# Layer Mash
.75# cracked corn
.25# whole oats
.50# soft shell wheat
.50# rice bran
1# sunflower
1# millet mix
.50# flax
.25# granulated garlic
.25# brewer's yeast
Final cost breakdown is $1.45/lb. So... I've mentioned before that my girls are the Paris Hiltons of the poultry world, haven't I?
So I'm waiting for your suggestions and comments...right off, I can answer a few of them....
-I'm not sure what I'm doing, most of this info has come from reading several thoughts, theories and weighing out the plusses and minuses of each of the items listed.
-I want to provide a high omega3 diet to decrease cholesterol content in the eggs.
-granulated garlic is used to reduce smell in coop.
I've been doing an lot of reading over the past few months on this, and I am sure I am probably doing something wrong, so those of you with more knowledge, correct me please.
I want to provide a 1:1 ratio of mash:scratch. The layer mash I get has 18% protein.
In any ratio of mash to scratch, the minimum to maintain is 15% protein. I am going for 22-24% protein.
A scratch mixture of at least two grains is usually best for the laying hen, so I've overdone it and am using four. Each has a varying degree of energy content and benefits. You don't want any grain to be more than 50% of the scratch feed. Also, I've read that it is best usually fed in late afternoon and that overfeeding of the scratch will lower the feed intake of the mash and decrease their protein intake.
I am aware that summer/winter seasons will make a difference in the feed ratios, and that wether or not hens free-range also makes a difference.
So this mix is based on the fact that my hens do not free-range, get veggie/leafy greens in AM, and this mash/scratch mix in afternoon beginning in July of this year (when my pullets will be 19 wks old.)
100# Layer Mash:Scratch mix =
50# Layer Mash
.75# cracked corn
.25# whole oats
.50# soft shell wheat
.50# rice bran
1# sunflower
1# millet mix
.50# flax
.25# granulated garlic
.25# brewer's yeast
Final cost breakdown is $1.45/lb. So... I've mentioned before that my girls are the Paris Hiltons of the poultry world, haven't I?
So I'm waiting for your suggestions and comments...right off, I can answer a few of them....
-I'm not sure what I'm doing, most of this info has come from reading several thoughts, theories and weighing out the plusses and minuses of each of the items listed.
-I want to provide a high omega3 diet to decrease cholesterol content in the eggs.
-granulated garlic is used to reduce smell in coop.
Last edited:
There's a great chapter in the Storey's chicken book about this as well.
Mudhen, I'm going to give your recipe a try. Looks good enough for us to eat. Sort of a savory granola. Well, okay, maybe not. But I bet the chickens will love it.
So, do any of you folk's birds just love tomatoes. Mind are particularly fond of the little grape tomatoes just when then get a little raisiney. You know, just when they start to wrinkle a bit. I throw 10 or 12 into the run and it turns into a chicken brawl in there. One grabs one and runs, and the others take off after her. . . then they notice there are more. Then it's like a shark feeding frenzy. I'd throw more in but I like them myself. The only thing I can compare it to is when I throw a mess of crickets in with them.
Mark
Mudhen, I'm going to give your recipe a try. Looks good enough for us to eat. Sort of a savory granola. Well, okay, maybe not. But I bet the chickens will love it.
So, do any of you folk's birds just love tomatoes. Mind are particularly fond of the little grape tomatoes just when then get a little raisiney. You know, just when they start to wrinkle a bit. I throw 10 or 12 into the run and it turns into a chicken brawl in there. One grabs one and runs, and the others take off after her. . . then they notice there are more. Then it's like a shark feeding frenzy. I'd throw more in but I like them myself. The only thing I can compare it to is when I throw a mess of crickets in with them.
Mark
Last edited:
Thanks MarkR!
My hens go bonkers with grapes. I'm going to try tomatoes today, since I have half a container of 'just the other side of perfect' grape tomatoes in my fridge.
Gotta try that cricket/tomatoe salad on them some day!
My hens go bonkers with grapes. I'm going to try tomatoes today, since I have half a container of 'just the other side of perfect' grape tomatoes in my fridge.
Gotta try that cricket/tomatoe salad on them some day!
There is an organic farm in Yamhill Oregon, that raises cows, and chickens, I have been in contact with the owners, she is developing an organic , soyfree, feed,.
I really want soy free, thats a big value to me.
I am trying to buy it by the bucket for mine,
questions and I will post you the name privately.
I do not have permission to post at this time.
If you live in the Portland area, Call Hillsboro feed and talk to the man in charge, he is helping fiqure it out.
cheers Justine
I really want soy free, thats a big value to me.
I am trying to buy it by the bucket for mine,
questions and I will post you the name privately.
I do not have permission to post at this time.
If you live in the Portland area, Call Hillsboro feed and talk to the man in charge, he is helping fiqure it out.
cheers Justine
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