At the supermarket in Japan

[HiyokoInNippon]

So, I kinda am going to be feeding chickies for slaughter in about a month.

I am still trying to find a food source but so far I have found the following cheap or reasonable foods. Thoughts?

sod will be in their pen
Fresh grass seed heads, clover, green stuff daily.

Dried baby fish and shrimp (too much calcium?)
Cabbage leaves
bean sprouts
sesame seeds
oats
rice (of course)
miso
mushrooms
daikon (radish)
acorn squash
whatever veg is on sale (they do late night discounts)

Working in finding good feed but how do these sound as food sources? I think miso will end up being the most complete source as it is fermented soybean paste...

 

[pdirt]

The dried fish and shrimp are no no because of the massive salt content. Same goes for miso. Is chick feed not available where you are?

 

[HiyokoInNippon]

If it is, I can't read well enough to understand that it is chick feed. There is exotic bird feed that I am looking at though.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

You should be looking at a feed with 18 to 22 % protein, if you want your birds to reach slaughter size quickly and efficiently. Most of the protein in chick feed is soybean meal that is first roasted and pressed to remove the oil.

 

[HiyokoInNippon]

Got it. Now soy beans I can get easily and cheaply. Tofu even easier. I got pics of the bird food at the market. I'll have a friend translate it for me. I wish I were doing this state side, it would make my life so much easier.

 

[HiyokoInNippon]

Okie dokie, thanks to the encouragement I have been cruising Amazon jp. Rakuten will be next but that place is a **** hole. If I can't find something with 18% protein, could I supplement with soy products?

 

[HiyokoInNippon]

Sorry, spamming. Google Translate (tm) game me this for some uzuran food... quail I think? Is that ok for chickens or are the nutritional needs between species too different? I did find two feeds that are specifically for young and intermediate chicks then to this when they are pullets?

Nutritional Information: crude protein 24.0% more crude fat 2.5% more crude fiber than 4.0% crude ash 13.5 percent less calcium 2.5% or more phosphorus 0.55% or more

 

[pdirt]

Sorry, spamming. Google Translate (tm) game me this for some uzuran food... quail I think? Is that ok for chickens or are the nutritional needs between species too different? I did find two feeds that are specifically for young and intermediate chicks then to this when they are pullets?

Nutritional Information: crude protein 24.0% more crude fat 2.5% more crude fiber than 4.0% crude ash 13.5 percent less calcium 2.5% or more phosphorus 0.55% or more

That could work, though it is a bit high on calcium. Calcium should be about 1% for any chicken not actively laying eggs and this would include chicks under 18 weeks of age. You could mix in some wheat to bring the calcium content down (and would reduce the protein, okay as long as it doesn't go below 18% for chicks). I'm not sure how much wheat you would need to mix in, though. Perhaps someone with better math skills could figure it out. How many pounds/kgs is this bag of quail feed?

 

[HiyokoInNippon]

That could work, though it is a bit high on calcium. Calcium should be about 1% for any chicken not actively laying eggs and this would include chicks under 18 weeks of age. You could mix in some wheat to bring the calcium content down (and would reduce the protein, okay as long as it doesn't go below 18% for chicks). I'm not sure how much wheat you would need to mix in, though. Perhaps someone with better math skills could figure it out. How many pounds/kgs is this bag of quail feed?

Heck if I know. Anyways, I did find a solution. There are three brands of chick food that have a program to adult hood. I'll buy a bag of each chick feed and then continue on with whatever brand I like best (actually made in Japan, good balance, the chicks like it). The major problem is that amazon does not list the composition of all of them which makes it harder. I have to hunt that down. *sigh* Why am I doing this again?

I can buy a kilo of BOSS for 1000Y though. Score. My idea of good prices is severly skewed. Also, sesame seeds? Good food or snack on occasion?