Conventional non-GMO Whole Grain/Seed Recipe for Layers

[Leahs Mom]

Whew...I just read and realized that I have missed a lot. We did lose my dad so that has had me preoccupied over these last weeks.

I just wanted to chime in on the sunflower chips to say that the reason there is an issue is that when they are broken, the oils begin to go rancid. That's what the difference from the whole.

So if you want to use the seeds for chick feed, do you have a blender? You could take the whole seed portion and just grind them small enough for the chicks in your blender and only make up reasonably small enough batches that you don't have it sitting around for a long time.

Or...another possibility is to use the chips, but store them in your freezer if you have room. That will keep them useable for a longer time.

I prefer the grinding as you know that they are fresh and not rancid when you make it. I guess it all depends on how many chicks you are doing at one time, but if you're just making small batches - say 10 - 20 lbs at a time that you use up within a week - 2 weeks, that should take care of the problem!

 

[Leahs Mom]

@Dandelioness

Oh...forgot to ask...

I'm going to try to try a trial of feed based on your original feed recipe. I think you said that you changed back to the original recipe you posted, but I wanted to make sure I was understanding that correctly. This will be a jump from using field peas, to removing all legumes from the feed - which has been one of my goals.

Are your layers still doing well on this recipe?

 

[Dandelioness]

Hi, it has been a while - I'm sorry to hear about your dad.

That's a good idea about the chips. They do come in smaller bags, I remember they weren't stale when I opened them so that could still be an option, or running a mix including the whole sunflower seeds (at the proper protein level) though the blender.

Something else I came across today when cleaning out my shed - niger seeds, a type of thistle. They are very small and have 16% crude protein. My sister's finches died and she gave me a bag of them. I will have to see how cost-effective they are, though.

Glad to hear from you again, Leah's mom

 

[Leahs Mom]

@Dandelioness
Are you currently using the feed formula that you stated in the first post?
When you use flax, are you getting that as 50 lb bags somewhere?

 

[Dandelioness]

My local feed mill will sell it in 50# bags, or measure by the pound.

Yes, I'm using the same recipe now. I think I'll stick with it unless I have issues or any particular component gets really expensive.

 

[Leahs Mom]

And...how long have you been feeding that particular mixture?

 

[LindaB220]

I am so very grateful to you for posting this thread. I feel I may be running out of time to find a good starter chick recipe, so I will probably have to start my first batch of Rhode Island Red chicks on non-medicated Purina starter/grower mix (the only locally available non-medicated feed). I am very excited about using your recipe for when I run out of my first bag or two though. I am getting a dozen or a few more chicks this week, and I may get another dozen hens in a month or two if the price is right and if I am not overwhelmed by other projects relating to starting a homestead.


Also, about wet feeding: how much water do you use for soaking the flax seed/how long does it need to soak, and for mixing the paste of the yeast and mineral premix? do you mix the soaked flax seed and the yeast/mineral paste together in one slurry after adding the water? do you mix the paste in with the dry mix, or serve it separate?

(I had some price questions but i found the answer tot hem earlier in the thread. Thanks!)

BBrady, Glad to have your.

 

[LindaB220]

Whew...I just read and realized that I have missed a lot. We did lose my dad so that has had me preoccupied over these last weeks.

I just wanted to chime in on the sunflower chips to say that the reason there is an issue is that when they are broken, the oils begin to go rancid. That's what the difference from the whole.

So if you want to use the seeds for chick feed, do you have a blender? You could take the whole seed portion and just grind them small enough for the chicks in your blender and only make up reasonably small enough batches that you don't have it sitting around for a long time.

Or...another possibility is to use the chips, but store them in your freezer if you have room. That will keep them useable for a longer time.

I prefer the grinding as you know that they are fresh and not rancid when you make it. I guess it all depends on how many chicks you are doing at one time, but if you're just making small batches - say 10 - 20 lbs at a time that you use up within a week - 2 weeks, that should take care of the problem!

Leahs Mom, I've been out of commission also with a knee replacement. So sorry about your dad. Hope everything is a little better as time goes on.

 

[BBrady]

Quote:
Excellent! thanks for the details! Two more questions: 1) If I am not able to free range the chickens for a week or two, and I want to feed wet, would I need to make a second batch later in the day for them? I expect I will prefer to feed dry most of the time, but I may want to try wet feeding at some point, especially if it cuts feed price in half when able to free range. 2) I am starting my chicks with non medicated starter/grower feed. how different is this layer feed from starter/grower feed? I would like to help you experiment with this recipe to find a good alteration for starter/grower feed. which amounts would need to be adjusted (crude protein, fat?) and how much (like from 20% down to 18%)? I can run some numbers if you help me base line the target percentages.

 

[Dandelioness]

And...how long have you been feeding that particular mixture?

Since Nov 2014, minus about a month when I tried to adjust the recipe.

I'm thinking I could change it a little for summer, because they can get bugs an young green things, but so far they seem to just eat less feed so I may just leave it alone. I think I would omit the flax, as the omega-3 and protein is foraged or made by the hens themselves during the warm period.