Arizona Chickens

[Demosthine]

Those of you who feed the phoenixorganic feed: I noticed it is only available as powder, and not pellets. Seems like this would only be ideal for young chicks & not adult birds. Don't you get a LOT of spillage & wastage with this particular organic feed? Is all organic feed like this, or are some companies making organic pellets as well? I am curious here

That's what is keeping me from doing it. I want to move to whole grains, not powdered form. I've been slowly pricing out several different blends that have been recommended, but I'm not done yet. The organic versus non-organic doesn't overly concern me, so the bulk bins at WinCo or at the feed store are fine. I may move to that later, but for now... I ferment feed, so I basically end up with mash anyway. It doesn't drain as well as I'd like, so the whole grains would be nicer. It's also messier this way from the fermenting setup, too. Alas, I have not found the perfect feed for a reasonable price, yet...

 

[AZKat]

I was feeding Purina before, and noticed a slight improvement in egg production and quality, and they also seem to eat a bit less of the Big Sky feed and they also seem to poop less. The poop is also less stinky. I didn't feed organic before mainly because of the huge price difference. The organic feed is still a bit more expensive, but since the price difference is under $5, I think its worth it.
The only information I have is what was mentioned on the Facebook posting, if you check out the website there might be more information, or you could try getting ahold of Scott Brown, who is the guy who organizes all of this.

For whatever its worth, I use a hanging metal feeder, and although I end up with a little more spillage, they eat the food that spills onto the ground, so there isn't really any increase in wastage. Like I said above, I'm going through less feed per month than I was when I was using the Purina layer pellets.

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Those of you who feed the phoenixorganic feed: I noticed it is only available as powder, and not pellets. Seems like this would only be ideal for young chicks & not adult birds. Don't you get a LOT of spillage & wastage with this particular organic feed? Is all organic feed like this, or are some companies making organic pellets as well? I am curious here

It's mostly ground grain pieces but there is some powder at the bottom when they are done. I just mix it with a little water or yogurt and they eat it up. They seem to really like the feed.
The most waste I get is from the flying rats (sparrows) that I can't seem to get rid of. I need to re-design my coop to have room for Gallo's treadle feeder.

 

[BakinInAZ]

I'm new to the forum & fairly new to AZ. A lot of my neighbors have chickens. I used to have a nice flock in CA, but now I'm in the Peacock Mountains & have to wait until I can get a safe coop because of all the predators in my area. I really miss having some layers, but am still adjusting to this climate. I'm also just starting a new job-working the 12 midnight to 8 a.m.shift.. Lots of changes for my golden years.

 

[MaddBaggins]

I'm new to the forum & fairly new to AZ. A lot of my neighbors have chickens. I used to have a nice flock in CA, but now I'm in the Peacock Mountains & have to wait until I can get a safe coop because of all the predators in my area. I really miss having some layers, but am still adjusting to this climate. I'm also just starting a new job-working the 12 midnight to 8 a.m.shift.. Lots of changes for my golden years.

Welcome to AZ! this is beautiful weather, wait until it gets hot.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

How to lose three hours of a Sunday afternoon:


Add two shovel-fuls of garden soil to the first outing of a broody hen and her clutch. Time will evaporate. Chicks become proficient worm-hunters and play their first games of keep-away.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I'm new to the forum & fairly new to AZ. A lot of my neighbors have chickens. I used to have a nice flock in CA, but now I'm in the Peacock Mountains & have to wait until I can get a safe coop because of all the predators in my area. I really miss having some layers, but am still adjusting to this climate. I'm also just starting a new job-working the 12 midnight to 8 a.m.shift.. Lots of changes for my golden years.

Welcome to BYC, our thread and our state! I hope you can get a new flock soon.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Those of you who feed the phoenixorganic feed: I noticed it is only available as powder, and not pellets. Seems like this would only be ideal for young chicks & not adult birds. Don't you get a LOT of spillage & wastage with this particular organic feed? Is all organic feed like this, or are some companies making organic pellets as well? I am curious here

Modesto Milling makes a pelleted organic layer.

 

[Mikey D]

Those of you who feed the phoenixorganic feed: I noticed it is only available as powder, and not pellets. Seems like this would only be ideal for young chicks & not adult birds. Don't you get a LOT of spillage & wastage with this particular organic feed? Is all organic feed like this, or are some companies making organic pellets as well? I am curious here

I've been using the Big Sky mash for as long as they've been gett'n it. Chickens love it. They turn their beaks up at other feeds (side by side). I use a home-made treadle feeder and there is very little waste.

I was using Kruse before this - sometimes it was tough to get and it was quite a bit more $. the only part about this I don't like is you have to pick it up at Baker nursery which is not close to me.

 

[Mikey D]

I'm new to the forum & fairly new to AZ. A lot of my neighbors have chickens. I used to have a nice flock in CA, but now I'm in the Peacock Mountains & have to wait until I can get a safe coop because of all the predators in my area. I really miss having some layers, but am still adjusting to this climate. I'm also just starting a new job-working the 12 midnight to 8 a.m.shift.. Lots of changes for my golden years.

Welcome Bakein!