Anybody make they're own feed?

[Fireraven0613]

I am going through 50lbs of feed a week right now! I had 24 birds, just butchered three broilers which means I have 21 birds left, 6 of which are broilers. The rest are egg layers with the exception of 4 roo's that some how ended up in the mix. Anyways, they're pigs! Feed is the main source of food. They have a very large run but there is very little grass in there anymore and they love when I bring them kitchen scraps.

What I really want to know is if anyone makes they're own food and is more economical. I plan on butchering the rest of the broilers in the next week or so and I'm sure this will cut on my feed bill greatly but I would still like to make them feed.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[pirtykitty]

can you let them out to free range part of the day .. that cuts way down of feed..

 

[Fireraven0613]

I'm kind of afraid too.... They're only a few months old. We got them the first week of June. They won't let me hold them so I'm worried they won't go back to the run/coop when it's time to go in. Plus we have lots of hawks and there are always cats around too.

 

[ruffledfeathers1234]

I don't make my own feed, but I do buy several different kinds of feed from the feed store and mix my own that way. Do you have a lawn you could mow and feed the clippings to the chickens if they can't free range. I also feed some loafbread as a suppliment to their diet, that and the grass helps cut back a bit on the cost of feed. And just out of curiousity how much is feed per bag in your area?

 

[Fireraven0613]

I buy the Nutrena non medicated and it's about $16 a bag. I'm pretty sure it's a 50lb. That's what they come in right? Or is it 25lbs? Crap now I don't know! it's been a very very long day!

 

[ruffledfeathers1234]

I'm pretty sure it would be a 50# bag. Do you buy your feed at tractor supply, or at a feed store, if you are buying it at tractor supply I would suggest trying to find a local feed store, mostlikely feed would be much cheaper that way.

 

[Fireraven0613]

Tractor doesn't sell it here so I do in fact get it from a "local" feed store. Mind you I drive about 40 minutes to this "local" store one way.

 

[runsw/scissors]

This guy talks discusses making your own feed. Hope this helps.... http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Making-Poultry-Feeds-1.html

btw, I paid 12 bucks for 50lb bag. And my feed store is about an hour away too.

 

[team_metzer]

I have close to if not more than 100 birds, 50lbs of laying pellets every 2 weeks, 50lbs cracked corn once a month. Feeding them grass cutting helps alot if you can`t free range. I free range mine but I have a couple friends that save me there clover grass clippings. I can toss it in the penned area and the won`t come out to range in the woods.

 

[tennesseeckn]

I made my own feed and it was a lot more expensive, even when I hand-ground ingredients. It was also time consuming and scary since you have to ensure that they you are meeting all of their nutritional needs.

I have way too many birds to consider doing it now, but will probably try again this winter. They were a lot healthier looking on the homemade feed.