Recent content by bubba1358

Is it reasonable to think that at least 7% of daily Methionine can be eaten from insects and table scraps?

Very interesting, and very helpful. I've been using this a lot in factoring some things out. Next question: Can chickens get methionine and cystine from grass/clover/greens, or must it be fed in something else?

OK. Can you recommend a more recent one to use instead? FWIW, my end goal is to evaluate different locally-available feedstuffs to use to create, and in the spring, grow, my own chicken feed. I'm currently evaluating amino acid profiles in these different things to make sure there are no...

Here's a few: http://www.aaccnet.org/publications/cc/backissues/1965/Documents/chem42_140.pdf http://www.sdstate.edu/vs/extension/upload/ExEx2041-Field-Peas-in-Swine-Diets.pdf I'm looking at the charts and tables, in particular. If y'all know of better, more recent sources of data for...

Bueller?

I'm looking up amino acid profiles of grains and seeds, and have measurements in "mg / g N" and need to convert them to percentages of the total by weight. How do i set up this formula? Example: In wheat, 277 mg Arginine, measured as 277 mg / g N is equal to what percentage of the total...

If I have an amino acid measurement of X mg / g N, what is the percentage of the amino acid relative to the total? For example, wheat has, on average, 277 mg Arginine per mg N**, and wheat is 13% protein. What percentage of the total is comprised of arginine? Thanks. Math brain no workey now...

Thanks. The straws in a bucket analogy makes perfect sense. I'll search for these requirements and make sure I'm not missing something.

Huh. I think you may be on to something there. Do you (or anyone) know which ones may be lacking in this formula? I do have a milk cow, but she's dry at the moment. If I add milk to the mix, would that make up the amino acid deficiency? How much milk would I need per bird to meet their needs...

I'm very hesitant to switch to the GMO-free pellets as the main source of food, since they are a limited supply at the feed store and I don't know if I can get them long-term. The other items are a constant. I forgot to mention that I do also feed about 6 oz. dried kelp granules for mineral...

For multiple reasons, i cannot do commercial pelleted feed. It has to do with the desire to remain GMO free, as well as an intolerance to soy (which as we all know passes through into the meat and eggs). I've developed a tentative feed plan, and I was hoping that y'all could help see if there...

Currently, mine are wood and hay. I get the occasional crack when a hen lifts up and the egg drops. What are some easy, inexpensive, effective ways to pad the bottom for a soft landing?

Thanks. I tried those supplements as "tricks" to get them to lay more. Ah, the internet. I saw a hen standing in the kiddie pool today. I also dumped some blocks of ice in their waterer. I hope this helps.

I've got 31 chickens (8 young pullets, a roo, and 22 laying hens). They had been laying upwards of 18 eggs a day for a while, but in the last month it has dropped precipitously. It started when I ran out of feed for a few days in the first half of July, which coincided with adding the 8 pullets...

That's what I had initially thought. :/ Oh well. Thanks for the confirmation everyone.