DIY Chicken Feed

[veedabowlu]

Currently $16.50 for 50# {nutritional tag below - medicated this time, normally its not}. I get my layer feed for under $12 / 50#
How many Tractor Supply options do you want over bare minimum layer formulations?

As it turns out, I know my stuff well enough to be able to build a decent feed from scratch. There's a reason I don't do so, and it comes down to dollars and cents.

Dude, I'm not knocking you OR your knowledge... I'm stating what I see available at my feed stores... and at the nearest tractor supply that is 30 miles away from me...What layer feed for under $12 /50# are you talking about... SH!T I need to find deals like that, not being sarcastic!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Dude, I'm not knocking you OR your knowledge... I'm stating what I see available ay my feed stores... and at the nearest tractor supply that is 30 miles away from me...What layer feed for under $12 /50# are you talking about... SH!T I need to find deals like that, not being sarcastic!

I'm getting mine from a family farm/feed store, who gets it from the mill right across the Alabama border. They go thru probably 30 tons of feed a week, best guesstimate? Maybe more. SO they've got a great price to start, my pricing is buying 500# at a time, paying cash. Actually, its cheaper than if I bought straight from the mill. If I use credit or buy in smaller quantity, my price goes up to almost $18 for the feed whosse tag I photo'd, and about $13 for the layer formula.

Are you south FL or central FL? Central FL has at least two feed mills with quality products at reasonable prices. I'm not aware of any in South Florida - shipping is going to kill you there.

If you were central Texas, I'd recommend West feeds. Good prices, great numbers.

 

[veedabowlu]

I'm getting mine from a family farm/feed store, who gets it from the mill right across the Alabama border. They go thru probably 30 tons of feed a week, best guesstimate? Maybe more. SO they've got a great price to start, my pricing is buying 500# at a time, paying cash. Actually, its cheaper than if I bought straight from the mill. If I use credit or buy in smaller quantity, my price goes up to almost $18 for the feed whosse tag I photo'd, and about $13 for the layer formula.

Are you south FL or central FL? Central FL has at least two feed mills with quality products at reasonable prices. I'm not aware of any in South Florida - shipping is going to kill you there.

If you were central Texas, I'd recommend West feeds. Good prices, great numbers.

Miami Florida... I have 9 Bantams, (fed 2 cups daily) and 3 full size girls(fed 2 cups daily) they are in separate coops/runs so 500# would be for most of a year...

 

[FrostRanger]

Miami Florida... I have 9 Bantams, (fed 2 cups daily) and 3 full size girls(fed 2 cups daily) they are in separate coops/runs so 500# would be for most of a year...

Keep in mind that chicken feed loses a lot of its nutrients after a few months so you really can't buy chicken feed in bulk too much

 

[veedabowlu]

I didn't plan to buy 500# at a time for that reason... and don't have room for 500# of feed.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Miami Florida... I have 9 Bantams, (fed 2 cups daily) and 3 full size girls(fed 2 cups daily) they are in separate coops/runs so 500# would be for most of a year...

Miami? Yeah. Prices are going to kill you. Either retail floor space, shipping or both - as you know first hand. Have you looked at shipping in from Chewy? A lot of BYCers use Kalmbach feeds and are very happy with them.

I don't know that its cheaper, but might save you along drive in slow traffic to the local TSC. Depending on how you value your time, that may save you quite a bit. 30 miles each way has got to be 2 gallons in gas??? $6 savings right there.

 

[saysfaa]

If you want to buy from a store that carries feed, it just doesn't carry the type you want, you could ask them to add it to their order. Some will do that.

It doesn't help the distance to the store, sadly. Maybe some sort of coordinating with other people who need things from that direction? Their things don't have to be feed. That is what I've done; as do other people I know who also live out in the boondocks.

 

[Airyaman]

My local co-op seems to have very good prices, much better than the local Tractor Supply for available foods. Most of the stuff they list is $12/50 lbs. bags. Since I'm still in the initial hatching phase, hadn't got that far in pricing out my options.