Fall/winter feed

[FrostRanger]

Does anyone make a non-soy 20% starter that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Kalmbach still doesn't make a starter that is high protein, organic, and non-soy. $66 for a bag is too rich for me when I have a flock of 31 currently, but will be reduced down to 19 soon enough.

Soy is one of the best plant sources of certain amino acids and animal protein is relatively expensive (although I certainly do wish more feeds included animal protein as chickens are NOT herbivores) hence why soy is commonly used in chicken feed. Unless you or someone in your household is allergic to soy, there's little reason to avoid feeds containing it. Do you have a mill locally? If so you might ask if they have any chicken feeds that fit what you're looking for at a better price point. Do be aware that many organic feeds have the absolute bare minimum of protein, methionine and lysine (and some have even less than the minimum) which are all essential for chicken health so check the nutrition label carefully