Consolidated Kansas

[dwink2]

I don't have much choice around here.  Orscheln's is the only place to get a lot of the feed I get for my animals.  The local coop has a few things but their choices are limited and are usually more expensive.  

I know what it is like living out in the middle of nowhere. I have to drive 45 miles to the nearest Orscheln's and 80 to TSC. We do what we have to do.

 

[Ralph Moyer]

@dwink2 I charge $3 now for mine & my customers don't blink an eye. I know there are some in the area that charge less but as I was telling someone yesterday I just needed more to help cover the feed cost. When I was charging $2 or $2.50 I had customers telling me I was underpriced & would pay me $3 a dozen anyway so I just raised it to that.

I know about the broodies too & I wasn't that thrilled about it other than the Cochin who I have an order for chicks from.

I buy my chick starter from TSC because it's so close in price to Orschelns & the bags are 50# instead of 40#. I just feel like the 40# bags are just a way to rip people off. That is the only place I

I ran short of chick starter a while back and it was on a Sunday, so I got a bag from Orschelins that was marked starter- grower. The granules were too large for baby chickens l also noticed a strange odor, but it wasn't musty, like mildew. It was more like a medicine odor. I normally get my feed at a feed-mill where the feed is processed and bagged. It is in 50# bags and I know it is fresh. ( it is also medicated for baby chickens). They move a lot of feed daily. One does not know how long, that the sacked feed at Orschelins has been in the bag, or how long since it was processed.

 

[lizzyGSR]

I know what it is like living out in the middle of nowhere. I have to drive 45 miles to the nearest Orscheln's and 80 to TSC. We do what we have to do.

I'm not quite that far from an Orscheln's but I'm probably at least 2 hours from the closest TSC. Orscheln's are pretty popular out here but they're the only farm store available. They're pretty much the only choice. I've tried to get a few things from the local co-op, but they have very limited choices and are pretty expensive on what they do have.

 

[sharol]

Feed has been a quandry for me, too. I buy medicated chick starter, flock raiser for the mixed run, and layer feed for the Orp run.

I'm not crazy about the Purina products, and lately the Manna Pro at Bluestem has been too fine causing too much waste. I have to make mash out of it to avoid huge waste.

So I decided to try the 16% flock raiser from F & F. The chickens kicked it out of the feeder and used it for a dust bath. I take it that was a NO! vote.

I really prefer the Orshlen's flock raiser. I haven't had any problems with moisture or mold with it, and the chickens eat it better with less waste. That said, it isn't nearly as convenient as Bluestem. We have a new TSC in Emporia, but their choices are about the same as Bluestem, and Bluestem is locally owned. In addition, their scratch grain is awful -- powdery and not very interesting. I have been using it in the mash with the crappy 16% feed.

In addition, I've gone back to layer feed for the Orps because I had a couple of hens laying thin or soft shelled eggs, and I don't want that. They have access to ground egg shells and calcium carbonate, but the shells are still weak.

On a slightly different topic, my silly little Araucana is trying to go broody again. She didn't get any eggs to hatch, and she abandoned the nest last time when the last egg died, so she may just be wanting babies of her own. She is still laying, so as long as she is laying, I'll let her hang out in the nest box (or the nest on the floor, or the other nest box -- she is undecided as of this point). If she gets serious, I'll put some Breda eggs under her. I can be sure they are pure, and maybe can find a buyer for the chicks when she "weans" them. Besides, I like the little Breda chicks.

 

[chicken danz]

Quote: I have to drive 45 minutes minimum to get to an Orsheln's or TSC. I was glad TSC went in in Emporia cause I buy their brand of cheap catfood and give it to the peafowl and geese in addition to the other feed. I buy exclusively MFA chick starter. It's nearly an hour drive to get it at the nearest place on terrible roads but I usually buy 10 to 15 bags of it at a time. During hatching season I can use up to 30 bags a month. People just have no idea the volume of feed these birds take. I like Orsheln's but not enough to take chances on their feed again.
Originally Posted by Ralph Moyer

@dwink2 I charge $3 now for mine & my customers don't blink an eye. I know there are some in the area that charge less but as I was telling someone yesterday I just needed more to help cover the feed cost. When I was charging $2 or $2.50 I had customers telling me I was underpriced & would pay me $3 a dozen anyway so I just raised it to that.

I know about the broodies too & I wasn't that thrilled about it other than the Cochin who I have an order for chicks from.

I buy my chick starter from TSC because it's so close in price to Orschelns & the bags are 50# instead of 40#. I just feel like the 40# bags are just a way to rip people off. That is the only place I

I ran short of chick starter a while back and it was on a Sunday, so I got a bag from Orschelins that was marked starter- grower. The granules were too large for baby chickens l also noticed a strange odor, but it wasn't musty, like mildew. It was more like a medicine odor. I normally get my feed at a feed-mill where the feed is processed and bagged. It is in 50# bags and I know it is fresh. ( it is also medicated for baby chickens). They move a lot of feed daily. One does not know how long, that the sacked feed at Orschelins has been in the bag, or how long since it was processed.
I wish I had a feed mill near by. Having fresh feed is an asset. That is one reason I buy MFA feed. It is shipped in directly from the mill as I order it and MFA is very much in belief food is not good unless it is fresh.
Originally Posted by sharol
@sharol , Emporia Grain and Feed Ag Choice has MFA feed, They carry a layer feed but not the chick starter. I think they can bring some chick starter up form Madison though. I think you'll find the price lower than TSC, Bluestem, and Orcheln's as well. If you hatch more Bredas I still have customers wanting some. Local company as well so there ya go!
I have a busy day ahead but cancelled all appointments just so I could enjoy some time alone without a lot of interruptions. The phone is not going to be joining me today!!!

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

Lol was planting a new garden on Sunday and my chickens had so much fun playing in the fresh dirt that we decided to move all the grass and weeds top soil that we cut out over to their pen so now they have a dirt filled weed pile garden to play and scratch in its so cute to watch them.

 

[chicken danz]

Same thing here after I tilled again. I looked out and the ducks, Guineas, chickens, and Yeti were all digging in the garden spot.

 

[dwink2]

Hello everyone! It sounds like everyone has unique wants and options for feed. I use medicated chick starter when I have chicks and layer pellets for the flock. If I don't use pellets they just waste so much of it. I think that there is a local feed mill that I could buy feed from but they do not do the pellets and it is more expensive.

One of my silly broodies abandoned her eggs yesterday. It is probably my fault. She has always layer her eggs in the dog house where 1 cat sleeps and that is where she went broody. I feared for her because it is up by the house so I moved it inside the chicken pen and gave her eggs. She seemed content but at some point yesterday she went back up by the house and went into another cat house to sit. Her eggs were pretty cool but I went ahead and stuck them under the other broodies. I will candle in 10 days to see if they made it. Oh well, I don't really need the extra chicks with what I have ordered.

I have a hen that has just been really droopy the last couple of days. I wish I knew what her problem is. No sneezing or breathing problems. She just sits around looking miserable. I don't think that it a egg problem or prolapse. What else should I check for?

 

[chicken danz]

Check for mites or lice nits. They can drag a bird down to nothing. Also have you wormed your birds recently?

 

[chicklover56]

Chicks are looking a lot better. Haven't had anymore pass, and this is their 3rd day on Corid and 2nd on Tylan 50. How much longer do I continue the Tylan 50?

Also, I've seen on different threads and pinterest different things on sprouting grains. Does anybody do it? Or is it worth the time? I have the wheat seed to do it that my neighbor gave me, just am failing miserably on trying to do it. Any input would be great!