I order online just because there's nothing close enough to me to go to in person, that wouldn't require at least an hour total drive (to and from), and I'd rather not lose that hour than save a few bucks on shipping. Especially because I only have a handful of chickens and a bag lasts me a long time. If I happen to be in the area, or have extra time, I sometimes go to the TSC in Holbrook. Some people go to Ventura Grain in Taunton, and I've gotten chicks and chick starter from them once, but I don't like them and will probably not go again. They spread misinformation and try to push their preferences onto customers, which I don't appreciate. Some people praise their feed for being local, and maybe that aspect of it is a selling point, but overall I don't like it for other reasons - for chick starter, they only have it in mash form, which is basically just dust. And their grower and layer feeds are way too low in protein - only 16%, when the ideal is at least 18-20%. So what I end up doing is ordering from TSC's website - Purina medicated chick starter crumble when I have chicks, and Purina flock raiser crumble (20% protein) the rest of the year. They are using a new delivery company now and even if you choose standard delivery and not next day, the feed still arrives the next day or at most in 2 days, which is great!
This is very helpful, thank you! We have quite a few farms and homesteads around my area, so I might contact a few of them to see if they sell feed or maybe they'll give me a hint where they buy it. We have a TSC nearby as well, so between those options the ol' internet it sounds like we'll be ok.
They have a no-spill feeder in the coop that's always full with dry feed as is, and in addition to that, when I have time, I bring them a bowl of that same feed mixed with water, until it reaches the clumpy consistency of wet sand. For some reason they LOVE that and eat it like it's treats
I make it with cold water in the summer, to help them cool off, and with hot water in the winter, so it's steamy warm by the time I take it out and it can help them warm up from the inside. Not that they really need it - they are wrapped in down coats - but I imagine it must feel nice on a cold morning. This is my way of giving them "treats" without actually giving them treats and compromising their nutrition. It's our hangout time - I sit with them, they eat it out of my hands, then they hang out with me and we have a nice chat about life.
Hello neighbors. I live in the shadow of Gillette stadium. I have only bought feed from Ventura. You see their trucks delivering feed to farms on 495, 95 and rte 24. I find it fresh, the people great and my dog loves to visit them. The chick starter is very fine. But the chicks only get that for about 4 weeks. Then grower until they are all laying. When the hens are in laying season, I feed layer pellets. For the winter, I switch them to Game bird pellets. This has worked well for me and the girls. YMMV.
