All-natural by-product free Developer Feed, Affordable? WHERE?

[bantyshanty]

I've had my chicks all on McGeary's Organics Chick starter week 1 - 5, and then thier Layer Developer weeks 5-5 months.
At 5-6 months I've been switching to Nutrena Layer crumbles, which is natural, not organic. I supplement the protein with extra earthworms & beans &quinoa cooked.

The Nutrena costs about 1/5 of the Mc Geary's.
Pros to McGeary's are:

It's relatively local (Eastern PA)
It's organic (duh)
It's got probiotic goodies in it already.
It's well-balanced
My chicks are healthy on it & love it. They do not love Nutrena.

Cons:

Developer is $100 for 50 lbs. It lasts me 2 months for 15 bantams at various stages of pre-maturity.
(They free-range a bit too & eat leftover fruit & veggie trimmings.)

That's more expensive than my dog food for 2 small dogs & that's organic too!

Nutrena doesn't seem to make a developer(?) feed, so I need something at least half the price of the McGeary's
which is at least all-natural and doesn't contain large mammal or poultry parts. Bugs & fish are okay

Does anyone know of any feed that fits this description?

Buying online is fine.


--Yes, I can get natural grains from the Amish farmers and hour north, but I can't mill it down fine myself.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Purina Flock Raiser. 20% protien no animal byproducts You can feed it to all your birds

 

[Cindy in PA]

I know that you didn't specify organic, but since you were using McGreary which I believe is from Lancaster, have you looked into Nature's Best Organic which is located in Kreamer, PA? They would be much closer to you and maybe someone in your area carries it. Is the $100/50 lbs and online price, because that seems really high. I've only used Nature's Best Layer & it is $25/50 lbs. at the feed store. Grower would be more expensive, but I don't think it would be $100! Don't have the website handy, but just search Nature's Best. Hope this helps.

 

[chickencrazymamahen]

I use Purina products and have been very satisfied with them, if you use Flock Raiser remember to supplement with Oyster shells, it contains no calcium additives, their Layena has it all in cluded. I pay $13.50 for 50 lbs. Its not organic, but "natural". Hope you find something!!

 

[BethieofVA]

If you want organic, maybe these folks can help. They are nice and will answer all questions. http://www.countrysidenatural.com/home.php?cat=12

 

[Chris09]

If you can find a place that sells Kalmbach Feed, Kalmbach has a 20% All-Natural Premium Layer that we get for $ 10.00 a 50 pound bag here in Ohio..

Chris