Best Budget Food

[Quackter]

I have fed organic feed to my chickens along with the standard commercial feeds and the chickens don't seem to have a preference. Calling something organic just makes the company a heck of a lot more money in the long run.

It's a complicated deceitful mess sometimes. From my understanding most of the certification programs aren't really effective. There are some honest sources, and even partially organic may be better? Things are so far gone it's hard to grasp sometimes. I dunno.

 

[Mosey2003]

Organic does not contain fewer chemicals than traditional. They're still allowed to use chemicals, it's just different ones. There is no scientific proof that organic is any healthier than traditional.

I would suggest Flock Raiser or All Flock.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Oh boy, the "I don't buy organic, so organic is no good" crowd is at it again, LOL. As with anything you feed yourself or your animals, it is important to know what's important to you & know your source.

 

[Mosey2003]

Oh boy, the "I don't buy organic, so organic is no good" crowd is at it again, LOL. As with anything you feed yourself or your animals, it is important to know what's important to you & know your source.

I didn't say it's no good. I said it's not chemical-free, which is true.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'm trying to save a little money for the next few months.

If you a Costco anywhere nearby... they sell organic layer for cheaper than I have seen at any other location. Since I don't use layer it doesn't work for me.

My preferred feed is Purina flock raiser.. with oyster shell on the side free choice... shopping around I can save as much as $3 per bag just depending on which store I go to. My birds benefit immensely from the extra protein over traditional layer... going through softer molts and coming out of it faster, returning to lay sooner.

I have zero problem with organic if you can afford it. But I do like to mention poison is poison whether natural or synthetic. Some organic poisons... Just as FYI Oleander plants, pyrethrin, arsenic, cyanide, etc....

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/364-poisons-and-toxins

https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-poisons-609279

For what it's worth... I do think growing organically is much more challenging. After raising some of my own crops and animals, I now appreciate the cost of the what I'm getting and know that farming is NO get rich quick scheme! We may not value the fact for them their life all depends on the weather.

Fixing your rat problem should make a good bit of difference. Good luck saving some cash while still feeding your birds what makes you feel good!

 

[Molpet]

I feed organic. I feel it's worth it, but that's another thread.
Have you tried fermenting feed?
I buy from local feed Mills. They tend to be cheaper.
Also Prince makes an inexpensive organic

 

[Compost King]

I buy from local feed Mills. They tend to be cheaper.

I do too but it took a few years before I could find one near by. Google doesn't work like it used to. I wish there was a national directory of feed mills that sell to the public so people could easily find one near them. I posted mine in my state threat to help people near by. I may even search for every feed mill in my state and start such a list.

 

[Molpet]

I do too but it took a few years before I could find one near by. Google doesn't work like it used to. I wish there was a national directory of feed mills that sell to the public so people could easily find one near them. I posted mine in my state threat to help people near by. I may even search for every feed mill in my state and start such a list.

yes the small guys are hard to find.
I found a couple by hanging out on FB local farm swap groups.

 

[Cyprus]

Have you tried fermenting feed?

When feed is fermented it is broken down into the same components regardless of quality. So whether you use high quality or low quality feed you end up with the same thing.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Have you tried fermenting feed?

I did for over two years... for a flock of 82+.

It didn't save me a dime, nor were my birds healthier because of it. I no longer do it and think keeping a formulated ration formulated instead of attempting to alter what the experts deem good is semi ignorant on our part.

I wasted a lot of time and effort... though it was fun to see the bubbles and experience the changes that took places. I even tried it on my dog food, and don't recommend it!

If this is someone's route to save money due to waste.. I suggest using plain water and serve right away as standard mash.

Ultimately... all animals eat to fill their ENERGY (aka caloric) need. Yes, there is a fill up factor with regards to volume... but overall the energy consumption will be the same... according to my understanding.