Could I feed them vegan?

[Sutremaine]

You could also get the Grower/Finisher product and offer a calcium source on the side, for periods when they're not laying. That and the layer feed have the same level of protein.

Growing your own animal protein is a great idea, and goes nicely with a healthy deep litter system. I am totally not a vegetarian, but I'd still rather feed a vegan feed out of the bag because I have no idea where the meat products* came from or how they were handled. If you really desire to feed vegan, please consider that you have almost complete control of their diet and they can't communicate any nutrient deficiencies to you. (I get the impression that chickens won't even communicate their being half-dead. Half-alive is more than enough energy to pretend they're fine.)

*I don't think it's legal in the UK anyway. The law itself is very ridiculous -- you can take an apple off a tree in your garden and give it to your chickens, but if you put it in your pocket and carry it through your non-vegetarian kitchen, it's not legal any more. But I suppose that level of stringency is required when big business and food supply chains meet.


EDIT: The price itself isn't bad, no. Hopefully you won't have to spend too much on getting it to your door.

 

[Free Feather]

To the OP:

Being a vegan, I am against the farming of animal lives, even bugs. Do you share that belief?

 

[Free Feather]

Just wondering to see if you would be willing to "grow" bugs for them.
A compost pile is a good idea.

 

[JoshTheVegan02]

The 20kg bag should last about 10 or so weeks. They do a smaller bag as well.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Lots of viewpoints on this for sure.
I really have not got much to offer other than to say I do not think the price is out of line for that feed. It seems reasonable.


Best wishes in your endeavors,

Babs

 

[Ballerina Bird]

that's what I was thinking, would make an interesting loaf - if you fermented it you could even do a sourdough

OMG, hilarious! As someone who lives in the cradle of American sourdough (northern CA), I LOVE the idea of chicken feed sourdough!

That does look like very nice feed.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

The only thing with feeding them their own eggs is you would need to scramble them first. Otherwise if a hen goes broody the others will attack her for it and you would have a bloody mess. Encouraging them to eat their own raw eggs is not good- would you encourage them to eat their own chicks for protein? No. So make sure you scramble the eggs first.

 

[islafarm]

I would cook the eggs too: chickens are not known for their considerate compassionate nature and I would worry about hens being harassed while laying. Or worse.

I don't think you necessarily have to farm insects. Just having a manure pile somewhere in the garden that the birds have access to should work. I 'farm' soldier flies because I keep my compost in a bin and only put in what I know they'll eat.

Josh said earlier that the eggs would be shared with non vegan family members, would it be ok for them to keep chickens supplied with non vegan foodstuffs?

Enjoying the thread!

Looked at bulk buying organic soymeal in the uk, not so many options, but perhaps if there are other local chicken folk buying bulk and mixing your own might be an option.

 

[JoshTheVegan02]

Looked at bulk buying organic soymeal in the uk, not so many options, but perhaps if there are other local chicken folk buying bulk and mixing your own might be an option.

I already found a store selling organic chicken food that I am pretty sure is vegan.

 

[islafarm]

Yes, I know, just thinking out loud