Anybody make they're own feed?

[johnorr41]

My chickens six of them free range, the ground hog and also rabbits grass with them. I'll be out just hanging with the chicks and over come the rabbits, last nigh a chick was bumping up against the bunny while eating. they look out for each other, ground hogs the same. I worry less about predators when they are around, extra eyes. I know I'm not even close to Saint Francis, but having wild animals coming up like that is neat. lived in the country all 45 yrs of my life and I still get surprise about animals. never would of thought chickens, rabbits and ground hogs would hang out.

 

[Medicine Man]

Quote:
This.

My homemade feed is about 80 cents per pound. Probably more, as every single ingredient increases in price every time I buy it.

And I would never ever recommend for a newbie to try this at home, you will probably mess up your chickens.

 

[Fireraven0613]

Quote:
This.

My homemade feed is about 80 cents per pound. Probably more, as every single ingredient increases in price every time I buy it.

And I would never ever recommend for a newbie to try this at home, you will probably mess up your chickens.

Are you willing to share your homemade feed? I went out and bought stuff yesterday to do and I think I did well. The only thing I'm not sure on is the protein amount. I'm not quite sure how to figure out how much protein to use with in the mix.

 

[Weiden Farm]

80 cents a pound. I buy 50lbs bags for about $13. 80 cents sounds like very expensive eggs

 

[Kountreefok]

We always start our chicks on commercial starter but from there they get a home blend.
We usually buy in bulk from the grain coop--but it is a ways away. Locally starter runs about $16 a 50, and cobb mix $10 ish.
Fortunately, Honey has a couple farmers in the family so we get screenings (non-target crop seed), leftover seed, and seed that doesn't pass the germination test (oats, etc.) cheap to free.
I work at a grocery store and get cull produce for the kritterz as a perk.
Kritterz get the garden, and canning scraps and culls.
I'm inspired to weed the garden by hauling a bucket or two in with me to fill with weeds for the Girls.
Buckets full...game over...

And, during the fall and winter butcher scraps. A hunk of deer carcass can provide extra protein, fats, and hours of entertainment.

 

[Speceider]

I went out and bought stuff yesterday to do and I think I did well. The only thing I'm not sure on is the protein amount. I'm not quite sure how to figure out how much protein to use with in the mix.

First you need to start with what a chicken needs, which is a lot more than just protein. What is the metabolizable energy of your diet, because that controls the amount they eat (low ME, eat more, can have lower protein), it needs to be balanced in amino acids. You also need the appropriate balance of trace minerals, essential fatty acids, and vitamens. Just mixing things together thinking it will be cheaper and better isn't the answer.

Clint

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
This.

My homemade feed is about 80 cents per pound. Probably more, as every single ingredient increases in price every time I buy it.

And I would never ever recommend for a newbie to try this at home, you will probably mess up your chickens.

Is that 80 cents or did you mean 08 cents?
If you are paying .80 a pound that is 80.00 a hundred. Wow that is a lot to pay for chicken feed.

I have a "semi-custom" mix for chicks and I only pay 19.00 a hundred for 20% protein and the chicks grow and fill out very nice.

Chris

 

[Medicine Man]

Quote:
yes, very expensive eggs.

 

[Medicine Man]

Quote:
This.

My homemade feed is about 80 cents per pound. Probably more, as every single ingredient increases in price every time I buy it.

And I would never ever recommend for a newbie to try this at home, you will probably mess up your chickens.

Is that 80 cents or did you mean 08 cents?
If you are paying .80 a pound that is 80.00 a hundred. Wow that is a lot to pay for chicken feed.

I have a "semi-custom" mix for chicks and I only pay 19.00 a hundred for 20% protein and the chicks grow and fill out very nice.

Chris

c'mon now, Chris...with all due respek, you gotta know by now that when I throw out numbers I mean what I say...

My chickens are zoological specimens, not filthy farm animals. Yes, my eggs are spendy, but I enjoy them.

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Is that 80 cents or did you mean 08 cents?
If you are paying .80 a pound that is 80.00 a hundred. Wow that is a lot to pay for chicken feed.

I have a "semi-custom" mix for chicks and I only pay 19.00 a hundred for 20% protein and the chicks grow and fill out very nice.

Chris

c'mon now, Chris...with all due respek, you gotta know by now that when I throw out numbers I mean what I say...

My chickens are zoological specimens, not filthy farm animals. Yes, my eggs are spendy, but I enjoy them.

I do hope you are not clamming that my birds are "filthy farm animals" .

So what is a "zoological specimens".

Chris