does anyone have their feed mill mix your layer feed?

[Arkansawclucker]

if so what is the mix? seems the feed mills should be able to mix it and be cheaper?

 

[Rich386]

I would imagine that if you had your feed mill make you a special mix. The cost of having that cheaper product bagged would cost more than the feed.

 

[Arkansawclucker]

no actually buying in bulk is cheaper, i used to have them do it for steers,, i guess what im asking is what would a good mix consist of?

 

[Percheron chick]

Bagged layer (national brand) is running me $18/bag or $.36/#
A non GMO custom mix runs $.30/#
A mix with GMO runs $.23/#
Buying in bulk saves me the $.50 bagging charge per bag.

Your custom mix is going to start with what you want in it (soyfree, cornfree, no GMO, yes GMO...) than what your mill has available. Can the mill pelletize? That will give you additional options with incorporating lower costs brewery grains and distiller grains. The other advantage is the chickens can't pick out their favorite morsels and leave the rest for the birds.

Just as you did with your custom blend for the steers, give the mill nutritionist a list of products you want in the blend, oats, corn, flax, soybean, vitamins, whatever and the analysis you need to end up wtih (protein, Ca, fiber...). The biggest problem is the mill is going to require a minimum of 500# to as much as 1 ton. I found a chicken rancher 2500 birds) willing to sell me as little as 100# at a time of his blend (non GMO plus he has a masters in poultry science so I don't need to question his formulation). The only thing I do need to address is the high volume of fresh veggies and fruit I add in the summer months.

If you come up with a great blend, you can always sell the excess on CL or go in with a few friends so you move it in a timely manner.