Commercial Feed vs. Homemade Feed

[Leasmom1013]

I used to be on this website quite a bit when I had chickens twelve years ago. Everything about raising chickens has changed like fodder and fermenting feed.
I had access to a feed store back then, something I don’t have now. Nor do I have a car. My daughter works six days a week. I babysit my granddaughter at my home three days a week in one state and her father and paternal grandfather watches her three days a week in the other state. I can’t expect my daughter to pick up feed for me across the state line when she’s so busy. That’s where the nearest store is. So I would have to have feed delivered which raises the cost for me. I used to buy the typical feeds but would mix in store bought oats and bird seed which has the black oil seeds, cracked corn, milo and millet. I gave them kitchen scraps as well. I had about sixty chickens back then and only one chicken died on me. I started selling eggs. My egg shells were thick and the eggs were a deep orange. The hens were healthy and happy and disease free. I sold them when I moved out of state back then.
So I’m planning on getting less than six chickens in 2021. I need to find a feed that doesn’t cost much and that I could supplement with store bought additions like oats, lentils, split peas and toss in meal worms. So, I’ve been re-educating myself about Chicken care but I happen upon two different theories. One that chicks and hens must have commercially made feed vs. scratch, fodder and fermented feeds. So many people feel that a mash or pellet is a necessity even though chickens never had this until recently. Another is that scratch is like junk food even though this is some of the foods that chickens ate before commercially made feeds. Fodder and Fermenting are ways of stretching feed. I saw a YouTube video where someone took scratch and grinded up to make a chicken starter. I was thinking, that’s no different than what chicken starter is. But we’re often told that you must buy your feed? But why?
I’m not going to have free range chickens or run in a chicken tractor because I’m disabled and unable to physically move a tractor around. I’m going to have a fixed coop. What I want is a feed recipe that I can afford so it isn’t a high cost like it was previously. I intend to soak the scratch (with less corn and mostly other ingredients in it) overnight to bulk up the feed. Not necessarily fermenting. But I’m planning on adding split peas, oats, and food scraps and garden waste. And possibly adding Apple cider vinegar to their water. In other countries, they too just make their own feed out of whole grains. If worms and bugs are added and I can also make fodder to help. Why isn’t that considered a good feed for them? This is what I’m learning towards.

 

[Chicalina]

Wow. That’s degrading. Because I’m disabled I must have all the time in the world? Perhaps I can’t afford them? Really?? I was disabled when I had sixty chickens. The only difference is that I didn’t use a cane. I use one now. I know what caring for chickens entail. Being disabled doesn’t mean that I can’t handle caring for them or having them. That’s ridiculous and insulting. Being disabled also doesn’t mean I sit on my duff all day either. I take care of my one year old granddaughter. I’ve babysat her since she was eight weeks old. DISABLED. If I can care for an actual human being, I’m sure six chickens will be fine in my care. And I have a dog that has lived in my disabled care for three years. Like really??
Noticed I didn’t say I was unprepared for them? I am waiting till next year to get them so I have everything set up for them. Disabled doesn’t mean lazy. It doesn’t mean incapable. I was just explaining my circumstances so anyone reading this doesn’t think I can do physically what I can’t. But if I can lift 40 lb bags of soil for my gardens, I’m sure I can handle this. I’m absolutely disgusted by your comment.

Woah there, I think you've completely misconstrued what I said and meant. I was referring to whether you are able to lift more heavy sacks than just one bag of commercial feed, as buying separate sacks and mixing your own feed might mean more heavy lifting for you, and you may need to factor that in. I do not know your disability but presume it is physical and relevant since you mentioned it. If you can lift 40lb bags of soil, then you can do more than I can!

And as for time you have available, I was asking IF you have all the extra time it takes to buy, sort, mix, ferment feed, not saying you are lazy or have too much time. Looking after grandchildren is very time consuming (and exhausting, believe me I know).

You have put lots of words and intent into my post that just weren't there. I meant no offence at all. Perhaps my British turn of phrase got misunderstood?

I hope you can dial back your disgust and read my post in the way that I intended, which was only to be helpful.

I won't give you any more advice, but I wish you and your future chickens well. If you can manage to make it work financially and practically, then I'm sure they will give you and your grandchild hours of joy in the future.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

There is no one “right” way to feed chickens. Buying and feeding commercial food is certainly the cheapest and easiest - but if you’re motivated to do it another way and take on the extra work, all it takes is some knowledge and awareness and you can do so successfully.

 

[kcrandall]

I used to be on this website quite a bit when I had chickens twelve years ago. Everything about raising chickens has changed like fodder and fermenting feed.
I had access to a feed store back then, something I don’t have now. Nor do I have a car. My daughter works six days a week. I babysit my granddaughter at my home three days a week in one state and her father and paternal grandfather watches her three days a week in the other state. I can’t expect my daughter to pick up feed for me across the state line when she’s so busy. That’s where the nearest store is. So I would have to have feed delivered which raises the cost for me. I used to buy the typical feeds but would mix in store bought oats and bird seed which has the black oil seeds, cracked corn, milo and millet. I gave them kitchen scraps as well. I had about sixty chickens back then and only one chicken died on me. I started selling eggs. My egg shells were thick and the eggs were a deep orange. The hens were healthy and happy and disease free. I sold them when I moved out of state back then.
So I’m planning on getting less than six chickens in 2021. I need to find a feed that doesn’t cost much and that I could supplement with store bought additions like oats, lentils, split peas and toss in meal worms. So, I’ve been re-educating myself about Chicken care but I happen upon two different theories. One that chicks and hens must have commercially made feed vs. scratch, fodder and fermented feeds. So many people feel that a mash or pellet is a necessity even though chickens never had this until recently. Another is that scratch is like junk food even though this is some of the foods that chickens ate before commercially made feeds. Fodder and Fermenting are ways of stretching feed. I saw a YouTube video where someone took scratch and grinded up to make a chicken starter. I was thinking, that’s no different than what chicken starter is. But we’re often told that you must buy your feed? But why?
I’m not going to have free range chickens or run in a chicken tractor because I’m disabled and unable to physically move a tractor around. I’m going to have a fixed coop. What I want is a feed recipe that I can afford so it isn’t a high cost like it was previously. I intend to soak the scratch (with less corn and mostly other ingredients in it) overnight to bulk up the feed. Not necessarily fermenting. But I’m planning on adding split peas, oats, and food scraps and garden waste. And possibly adding Apple cider vinegar to their water. In other countries, they too just make their own feed out of whole grains. If worms and bugs are added and I can also make fodder to help. Why isn’t that considered a good feed for them? This is what I’m learning towards.

You’re over thinking this. Since you’ve successfully raised chickens in the past trust your instincts. Chickens today are no different now than when you raised them.

Commercial feeds, whether National Brands (e.g., Purina or Nutrena) or Regional Brands, are specifically formulated to meet the dietery requirements of poultry at specific life stages (i.e., starter, grower, layer, etc.). These feeds contain all of the nutrients, vitamins, minerals and probiotics at the daily dietery levels needed for a healthy flock. The majority of people (me included) do not have sufficient knowledge of the specific daily dietery needs of chickens so commercial feeds take care of that for us and our chickens. Chickens whose dietery needs are not properly met are more susceptible to disease or infection (e.g., necrotic enteritis) caused, in part, by an imbalance of their intestinal flora thus allowing bad bacteria to flourish. So, unless you have a working knowledge of how to properly mix a nutrient complete feed, I would suggest you feed commercial. If you do have such knowledge then go for it.

I’m also of the opinion that it will be more expensive per pound to purchase all of the ingredients needed to make your own complete feed. Scratch grains, mealworms, etc. are good for treats in moderation (10% or less of daily diet) but are not a complete feed.

 

[FuzzyCritters]

Scratch is not chicken food. It is mostly fat and has zero nutritional value for the chicken. That person on YT who grounded up scratch to make chick food was not making a nutritionally sound food at all. Scratch is a treat, and treats should only make up 10% of the diet.

Chickens do not have to eat commercial food, but they need a balanced diet, which commercial food provides. Commercial feed is the easiest, most accessible way to get a balanced diet for a chicken for most people. If someone wants to make their own food, they absolutely can, but it should provide a good diet for the chicken (scratch is not good for them, and should not be included as part of the main food).

Currently my flock eats a whole grain food, and it does provide them with good nutrition, so it is definitely possible to feed your chickens without buying processed feed. A few members on BYC make their own food. @Flockincrazy has a good recipe for homemade chicken food here.

Fermenting is a good way to add protein and make the food last longer. Some people even do it to commercial feed. I ferment food for my broilers because of the benefits and to save food. I don't know much about fodder, but it sounds like a good way to provide healthy greens for the chickens.

I intend to soak the scratch (with less corn and mostly other ingredients in it) overnight to bulk up the feed. Not necessarily fermenting. But I’m planning on adding split peas, oats, and food scraps and garden waste. And possibly adding Apple cider vinegar to their water. In other countries, they too just make their own feed out of whole grains. If worms and bugs are added and I can also make fodder to help. Why isn’t that considered a good feed for them? This is what I’m learning towards.

This sounds like a pretty good food for your chickens, as long as the scratch without added ingredients is limited to 10% of the food. Yes on the apple cider vineger too, because provides some vitamins that are good for the chickens. If your food provides good nutrition to your chickens, there is no reason for it not to be a good feed.

 

[Leasmom1013]

I’ve watched more videos than I want to admit about people who use whole grains and scratch to feed their chickens. Feed is basically the same grains as scratch made into pellets or mash. Why spend $30 on feed plus whatever it’ll cost for shipping when it’s the same exact ingredients? I understand the need for protein being over 16% but there’s other ways of achieving that. Split peas have 48 g’s of Protein. Milo has 13 g’s. Oats has 11 g’s. There’s mealworms that could be added as well.

I understand people get highly divided when people don’t follow the rules, but there’s a lot of people who are choosing to make their own feed. There’s homesteaders who prefer this to commercial feeds.

 

[Chicalina]

There are several things you may not have thought of.

It very likely will be more expensive to buy everything separately, because you will be buying thosr ingredients in smaller quantities from a store. Mealworms and wild bird food seed are super expensive where I live. Commercial chicken feed is much cheaper.

You say you are disabled, so have you thought about all the extra hefting about of different sacks you would have to do?

I assume you've got all the spare time to be faffing about mixing foods, and plenty of dry storage bins to keep it all in?

You mention soaking to stretch it. That is just adding water, not nutrition. They will need to eat just as much.

Is there a local chicken keeping group (FB/4H) or neighbour who can add your order to theirs and bring you the feed? Might be an option worth exploring.

Or maybe your daughter can help after all, since you are providing a lot of free childcare for her. Bringing a sack of feed once every month or two isn't a big deal.

Have you thought about whether this is really a feasible and affordable project for you? If you cannot afford feed, then perhaps you cannot afford to get chickens? What about the cost of their housing, and ongoing care? They will need money spent on worming, bedding, medicine, parasite treatments etc over the course of their lives.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Wow. That’s degrading. Because I’m disabled I must have all the time in the world? Perhaps I can’t afford them? Really?? I was disabled when I had sixty chickens. The only difference is that I didn’t use a cane. I use one now. I know what caring for chickens entail. Being disabled doesn’t mean that I can’t handle caring for them or having them. That’s ridiculous and insulting. Being disabled also doesn’t mean I sit on my duff all day either. I take care of my one year old granddaughter. I’ve babysat her since she was eight weeks old. DISABLED. If I can care for an actual human being, I’m sure six chickens will be fine in my care. Like really??
Noticed I didn’t say I was unprepared for them? I am waiting till next year to get them so I have everything set up for them. Disabled doesn’t mean lazy. It doesn’t mean incapable. I was just explaining my circumstances so anyone reading this doesn’t think I can do physically what I can’t. But if I can lift 40 lb bags of soil for my gardens, I’m sure I can handle this. I’m absolutely disgusted by your comment.

I really felt the comment was asking do you have the extra time to mix the feed. I didn’t feel they were trying to be rude. It’s difficult to convey meaning in text sometimes, and even more difficult when we don’t know the person on the other side of the screen.

I made my own price calculator for mixing my own feed, and even when buying grains in 50 pound bulk bags, they still cost more than buying the ORGANIC feed, not to mention non-organic. And nothing will ever be as nutritious as commercial feed unless you want to get additives, like brewers yeast or whatever, which ups the price mor

Which feed store did you say was close to your daughter’s work? I know tractor supply sells their feed for about $11-ish a bag and it’s 50 lbs. It’s really hard to beat that price in my opinion. I can’t speak for other feed stores though. For the number of birds you’re wanting to get, if she could get two bags at a time as a small thank you for babysitting, that should last you maybe two months.

My neighbor formulates feed for the commercial industry and says tons of research has been done commercially to support the use of fermenting feeds. It makes the nutrients more easy to absorb and supports gut health.

I wish you the best of luck! I’d be anxious to get back to enjoying chickens if I were you.

 

[chickenlittle21]

SCRATCH IS NOT CHICKEN FEED. CHICKEN FEED IS NOT SCRATCH. You can not give scratch as a primary feed source for chickens. Chicken feed generally consists of healthy grain, plant based protein, and other products such as minerals and vitamins and other things. Scratch is just candy for chickens and has little to no nutritional value. I recommend you order chicken feed off chewy.com.

 

[Leasmom1013]

There are several things you may not have thought of.

It very likely will be more expensive to buy everything separately, because you will be buying thosr ingredients in smaller quantities from a store. Mealworms and wild bird food seed are super expensive where I live. Commercial chicken feed is much cheaper.

You say you are disabled, so have you thought about all the extra hefting about of different sacks you would have to do?

I assume you've got all the spare time to be faffing about mixing foods, and plenty of dry storage bins to keep it all in?

You mention soaking to stretch it. That is just adding water, not nutrition. They will need to eat just as much.

Is there a local chicken keeping group (FB/4H) or neighbour who can add your order to theirs and bring you the feed? Might be an option worth exploring.

Or maybe your daughter can help after all, since you are providing a lot of free childcare for her. Bringing a sack of feed once every month or two isn't a big deal.

Have you thought about whether this is really a feasible and affordable project for you? If you cannot afford feed, then perhaps you cannot afford to get chickens? What about the cost of their housing, and ongoing care? They will need money spent on worming, bedding, medicine, parasite treatments etc over the course of their lives.

Wow. That’s degrading. Because I’m disabled I must have all the time in the world? Perhaps I can’t afford them? Really?? I was disabled when I had sixty chickens. The only difference is that I didn’t use a cane. I use one now. I know what caring for chickens entail. Being disabled doesn’t mean that I can’t handle caring for them or having them. That’s ridiculous and insulting. Being disabled also doesn’t mean I sit on my duff all day either. I take care of my one year old granddaughter. I’ve babysat her since she was eight weeks old. DISABLED. If I can care for an actual human being, I’m sure six chickens will be fine in my care. And I have a dog that has lived in my disabled care for three years. Like really??
Noticed I didn’t say I was unprepared for them? I am waiting till next year to get them so I have everything set up for them. Disabled doesn’t mean lazy. It doesn’t mean incapable. I was just explaining my circumstances so anyone reading this doesn’t think I can do physically what I can’t. But if I can lift 40 lb bags of soil for my gardens, I’m sure I can handle this. I’m absolutely disgusted by your comment.