Confused.......how can you afford to feed your chickens

[seedcorn]

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Good to know. Never had it in the rations I used to buy/feed. Could there be a difference between it being just one of many grains vs. feeding it as scratch by itself? I'd heard of native birds dieing of compacted crops from rice--wive's tale? We used bird seed at our wedding.

 

[dmiravalle]

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I cook rice for my birds, I cook in in beef broth that I have made so no sodium. I have done this for about 15 years and have never had an issue.

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

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I cook rice for my birds, I cook in in beef broth that I have made so no sodium. I have done this for about 15 years and have never had an issue.

Then it would already be expanded.

Do you use white or brown rice? If I could find it in me to process any of my flock, I would do my level best to waste none of my little friend's contribution. Chicken stock would be as good as beef stock?

 

[dmiravalle]

I use more chicken stock here for cooking than beef so the dogs and chickens get the beef. I use brown rice. I also use it to feed them the diatamacous earth (not sure I spelled that right). It sticks well to it so I know they are getting it.

 

[franrose]

I buy organic feed and pay $23-$25 a bag here in Oregon. I give them some scraps and let them forage too.
I eat their eggs, so I couldn't give them anything less. It is expensive, but I sell the eggs for $4 per dozen to friends
and that covers a lot of the food bill.

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

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I need to find a source of rice seed. Actually, I need to find a reasonable source of non-GMO seed in general. My list is expanding beyond planting birdseed. I am now interested in planting mangel and rice too. I just don't want to pay premium prices or exorbitant shipping.

 

[dmiravalle]

I have been ordering from the sustainable seed company, but I have not looked to grow my own rice and I haven't had time to check for the mangels.

 

[NickyPick]

I've been reading this thread and, being the newbie that I am, keep getting stuck on one point. I thought corn was NOT supposed to be a regular feed for chickens? That it's more like candy? My feed experience runs more towards horses here (got 7, plus boarders).

 

[Wifezilla]

I am a Baker Creek fan. www.rareseeds.com

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

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The problem with corn is that it is more like a cookie than like a balanced meal. Too much and they get fat. Fat chickens do not lay efficiently.

BTW, howdy neighbor!