Buying chicken feed in volume / bulk and feeding scratch vs layer feed

[Chris09]

Quote:
Are you going to add DE as it's augered in to keep it dry?

- JC

You don't need to add DE to it.

Chris

 

[ShanCarl1971]

DE is a moisture sponge! I use it in the bedding of my brooders and it keeps the "wet" odors away. It only takes a very small amount. My husband used to complain about the smell, but not anymore. Also, when I forget to put my gloves on first, the skin on my hands gets SO dry!!

 

[beatua]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I am currently buying purina 50# bags and going through about 200 #s per month for our 33 layers. I like the idea of making my own feed, I'm going to price that and see if I can do better than the ~$15 per 50 #s I'm paying today. There is a feed company nearby that sells several feed grains at about $8 / 50 #s. So I was thinking about trying that, but I am concerned about the protein amount. Given our chickens free range all day I think they should get enough protein and I can leave oyster shell for calcium.

Thanks again,
Mark

 

[MammaBear]

What I do with my feed is I store it in old non-working chest freezers. You can usually get them out of your local want ads, free for the hauling or for very cheap. Just make sure the seals are good. Rodent, bug and moister proof.

 

[suedagardener]

Ok, so where do you get your wheat? I do cob, camelina and peas. Camelina is really expensive (flax kiind of) but 40lbs is 24.50 so ain't cheep. Where did you find peas also?? you are not close but close (I'm in CA)

let me know
thnaks and can you reply to [email protected] I forget about this page!

 

[Soy Free LIfe]

Recently a group of chicken farmers started pooling their feed orders together so they could buy in bulk and receive wholesale pricing. This group only buys organic GMO free feeds. I started ordering with them and I am saving more than I thought possible. Although the feed is more expensive, I can now sell my eggs for $5.00 per dozen, so it works out. Anyone can join and it doesn't cost anything. With this group I don't have to stockpile a big order and I still save money.

http://www.phoenixorganicfeed.com/

SB

 

[mandelyn]

Whole grains will store longer than milled, with the milled types you'd want to look into the old freezer storage option to get added shelf life. Or something else to store it in that will seal. Whole grains can protect themselves from going stale, once it's milled or cracked that natural protection is gone. Same with pellets and crumbles as well, no protection, but the bags are designed to keep it fresh.

I'm in a feed co-op as well, we all order at the same time, I think we're up to about 60 people now. Initially they offered a milled 17% protein (non-GMO) layer feed, but now that we're over 2 tons of buying power, we get a custom whole grain mix layer with 19% protein.

It would be cheaper if it wasn't bagged, but with it getting split up the way it is across the city, we need it bagged. Someone needs to buy a silo!

I store mine in galvanized garbage cans after squirrels decided they needed to taste the new feed mix. Never an issue until we switched to the new mix, now the squirrels know about the sunflower seeds and corn kernels.

Birds are doing great on the new feed, very little waste. They only thing I add now is meal worms since we're fresh out of crickets in the yard until the weather turns. The birds aren't fans of winter... grass is short, bugs are gone, and they don't care for the damp. Spoiled they are!

 

[Oregonforester]

Ok I am in the seaside area, is anyone in or around portland in a coop of bulk buying? And if so how can I get in touch with you and add on to the order looking to buy a ton at a time?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Ok I am in the seaside area, is anyone in or around portland in a coop of bulk buying? And if so how can I get in touch with you and add on to the order looking to buy a ton at a time?

I buy from Azurestandard.com and am very pleased with the quality (organic). Minimum $550 order (they sell people food too).

There is also Modesto Milling in CA (organic).

If you don't want organic then IDK.

 

[3E ranch]

Wanted to know from person mixing their on feed.Where do you buy 50lb bags of peas,flaxing seed,Brewers yeast,etc.