Any ever used Homestead brand feed?

[Andora]

I've been buying feed from TSC, the only brand they carry is Dumor. But I read it wasn't that great of a feed, so I found a local feed store (the only one that sells chicken feed!!) and bought what they had. It's Homestead layer crumbles, made by Hubbard feeds. I trust this feed store because they sell feed to all of the multi-million dollar horse farms around here, but I'm curious if anyone else has ever used Homestead feed and what you thought of it? My birds are going wild over it.

 

[sovia]

I echo the same question. I have been using Purina Layena, but I am having problems with a few of my hens beginning to peck at feathers. It was suggested that there might not be enough protein. I have been told that the Homestead has animal protein so I am going to give it a shot. I hope it works!

 

[speckledhen]

Sorry, I dont know about Homestead, but since so many feeds went vegetarian, many people have feather picking issues. I use feeds from ADM Alliance and Faithway, which contain quality animal proteins. I have used Purina layer feed on occasion, but it's more expensive and I cant justify paying the price since it's $15/50# and the Faithway is $10/50#.

 

[Andora]

The homestead feed was only $11 for a 50 pound bag. It says all natural on it, I don't think it has animal proteins but I could be wrong. If you feed scrambled eggs as a treat regularly, does that include animal protein? Mine have never had feather picking issues!

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, eggs are animal protein. I looked up Homestead and they are only in Canada and NY, right? No wonder I haven't seen it.

 

[Andora]

I live in Kentucky and they sell it at a local feed store here.

 

[speckledhen]

Hmm, maybe that Homestead is a different one or they're much further south than the website said. I like having more options in feed, so I'll look for it around here.

 

[speckledhen]

Never mind-wrong website! Here is their site:
http://www.homesteadfeeds.com/Poultry/fastgrow.html

There is no animal protein, it says. The closest dealer to me is a pig farmer 100 miles away, LOL.

 

[sovia]

SpeckledHen is right - there are no animal proteins in it. I had the Traditional and Homestead feeds by Hubbard mixed up. In any case, my husband just brought home a bag of Homestead crumbles (I hate crumbles!) Anyhow, it does have 1% more protein than the Purina Layena that I was using. I sure hope this helps with the feather picking issues I have had with my flock.

By the way, we paid $13 for a 50# bag here in western South Dakota!

 

[AllChookUp]

I use Homestead here in MN. I find it cheaper than the alternatives, and it seems to have good amount of protein.