Alternative feed?

[dacasodivine]

I saw on another board that someone uses hog food as it has about the same % as layer. They just offer oyster shell for calcium.

Does anyone do something similar like feed hog feed or horse feed (pellets) and ad calf manna or something like that to bring up the % and give them a calcium source? Other than having extra calcium, is there really anything in layer pellets that isn't in other pelleted feed?

Thanks

 

[MissPrissy]

Usually general purpose animals feeds have mineral and vitamin levels specific for the breed they are labled for. That is why there are so many different feeds. Hogs need different nutrition than chickens. I know there are some who feed the least expensive feed to everything they own. I don't agree with it. Your chickens are only as nutritionally fitting as the feeds you give them and the way you tend their needs. I want good meat on the table and the best eggs I can get. Otherwise why bother? It is cheaper to buy those kinds of chickens and eggs at the grocery store.

 

[dacasodivine]

That was what I was wanting to know, if they are pretty much the same or not, other than the %. I don't even have chickens yet but was kind of curious after reading about the person feeding hog feed.

Admittedly, it would make it easier if I could give them the same pellets my horses get but I've already bought a can for their feed and I'm looking at getting some seeds to plant for them.

Thanks

 

[patandchickens]

Aside from nutritional suitability (see above, Miss Prissy's post) I don't know what prices are like in your neck of the woods, but around here I am paying more for horse pellets than for layer crumbles, so it would not actually be such a great economy step *anyhow*

Pat, having spent $14 for another sack of fat-and-fiber pellets this afternoon, as compared to about $10 that the chickens' feed usually runs.

 

[kstaven]

One other thing to remember about ratings on feed bags. What you see for %'s may not be BIOLOGICALLY AVAILABLE to another species. AKA the nutrient source may not be readily digestable for another species.

 

[dacasodivine]

I haven't really priced the chicken feed yet but if it's around what I've seen posted, it's about the same as my horse feed. I was more curious than anything.

I'm sure they will be getting some anyway. One of my horses is a messy, messy eater. She looks around while she eats and drops it everywhere. I've had her teeth floated and it made no difference.

I can't wait for my little chicks.

Thanks all