Feed Nerds! Opinions wanted re: whole grain feed recipe

[bootsNbirds]

Organic soybean products are available but cost will be high. Look into sunflower meals. I do not do more than 10% BOSS but that does not mean it will not work. I will go to 25% with corn and / or oats readily but do not do so with BOSS because of expense.

Oh okay, so the concern of too much BOSS is because of the shells? Or is the fat content an issue as well?

 

[centrarchid]

Oh okay, so the concern of too much BOSS is because of the shells? Or is the fat content an issue as well?  

For me, cost kicks in before I would be looking at impacts on productivity or table-use of products. My free-range birds consume and thrive on a diet much higher in fiber than what you are formulating so fiber is not an issue. Oils might be heavy on the eggs with respect to flavor. That is one on the challenges we get into when trying to formulate with organic feedstuffs where intact grains are used to preserve shelflife. You are operating outside the bounds explored by nutritional studies geared for commercial production flocks.

 

[bootsNbirds]

Quote: Ah, I see, that makes sense.

 

[LindaB220]

Hmm. Much to learn! I just give some seeds as a treat these days after they eat their ff, greens etc, in the evening time after their feeder is empty.

Around 11 in the morning I give them sprouted boss, marigold petals, dandelion leaves, grass, apples from my neighbors yards, sometimes they like herbs sometimes only dandelion leaves will be eaten. My bf plays chicken savings and loan, where he feeds them big dandelion leaves one at a time like a dollar bill exchanger.

We've been to the farmers market at cc mall. I'll have to look into that.

I'm thinking I might get a food mill grider attachment for my kitchen aid mixer, would that be better for making my own feed with seeds/grains?

After I caponize I was thinking of changing my meaties over to oats soaked in raw goats milk, is there any experience with that with dp breeds?

You read old books about finishing off the capons on cornmeal and buttermilk. I'd be interested in hearing how this turns out for you. Your birds have a VERY diverse menu. Good for you.

 

[LindaB220]

Ok, I will adjust the recipe for reduced BOSS. Any suggestions for a replacement grain for the 15 lb difference? Or does anyone have a good source for fish meal? I can't seem to find any near me, but would be willing to order online if not too expensive.
Do you think going with crimped oats instead of whole would make a difference in digestibility? My feed store has both.

My birds won't eat whole oats dried or fermented. They must be soaked in water at least 2or 3 days before putting in the ferment bucket. THEN they love it. If you feed it dry go for the crimped.

 

[bootsNbirds]

Quote: Thanks so much! This is why I love BYC, it's not just theory, you can tell what ACTUALLY worked for your chickens.

All of you have been so helpful!

 

[Double Kindness]

I definitely need to do SOMETHING! I'm broken out in bumps everywhere! Even the cold sores are back and feeling awful from handling all the wheat, barley, rye, oats in commercial organic non gmo soy & corn free chicken feed.

Some oats have gluten in them? Ugg I feel awful and my bag of all flock organic non gmo corn/soy free feed is almost gone, I'm adding the last to my home depot bucket I ferment their food in. This morning I remembered to wear my long pink kimchi making gloves before I went and fed everyone this morning.

10 in my layer flock. 26 x 5 week old itty bitty peep peeps (my meatie pen of straight run chicks br, slw and leghorn), that get 26% protein gamebird feed. 6 teensy weensie chicks that are part of my fm (black meat) project of ayam cemani x orpington & purebreed ayam cemani. And I'm picking up yes, more chicks this weekend after we go pick up the 1/2 of an organic grass fed/finished angus beef from the butchers on Saturday.

Yowza, I had forgotten how awful the side effects of being gluten bombed are. I spent 3.5 years in the hospital every other week for a week vomiting violently until 18 months ago. I'd like to continue to stay out of the hospital ideally, as having chickens makes me very very happy (better than all the therapy and drugs I think..). Hmmm, maybe there would be a market for gluten-free organic non gmo chicken feed? We can't be the only 2 chicken keeping ppl with celiac out here right?

 

[LindaB220]

I definitely need to do SOMETHING! I'm broken out in bumps everywhere! Even the cold sores are back and feeling awful from handling all the wheat, barley, rye, oats in commercial organic non gmo soy & corn free chicken feed.

Some oats have gluten in them? Ugg I feel awful and my bag of all flock organic non gmo corn/soy free feed is almost gone, I'm adding the last to my home depot bucket I ferment their food in. This morning I remembered to wear my long pink kimchi making gloves before I went and fed everyone this morning.

10 in my layer flock. 26 x 5 week old itty bitty peep peeps (my meatie pen of straight run chicks br, slw and leghorn), that get 26% protein gamebird feed. 6 teensy weensie chicks that are part of my fm (black meat) project of ayam cemani x orpington & purebreed ayam cemani. And I'm picking up yes, more chicks this weekend after we go pick up the 1/2 of an organic grass fed/finished angus beef from the butchers on Saturday.

Yowza, I had forgotten how awful the side effects of being gluten bombed are. I spent 3.5 years in the hospital every other week for a week vomiting violently until 18 months ago. I'd like to continue to stay out of the hospital ideally, as having chickens makes me very very happy (better than all the therapy and drugs I think..). Hmmm, maybe there would be a market for gluten-free organic non gmo chicken feed? We can't be the only 2 chicken keeping ppl with celiac out here right?

I'm thinking that the pink gloves sound good for right now. Maybe later we can find something better for you. How about rice? The rice bran is 12% protein and you could build from there. A can of salmon a couple of times a week could really help on a lot of levels. Cheap chicken livers from the store. Try sprouting the seeds like Kassaundra does in her video and feed at 4 days.

 

[Double Kindness]

I do sprout boss seeds for my laying flock, I've not had much success with other seeds tho, or the chickens don't like to eat it. I've tried mung beans and peas (no thanks say my picky chickens). I remembered to wear my long gloves today simply b/c of the rashes/bumps everywhere and miserable feeling in general.

I'm ordering seeds to plant in spring to offset costs of chicken & ppl food. I live in a high altitude mountain desert zone 5 I believe. I am a biodynamic grower of all manner of fruits and veggies & herbs/flowers.

It looks like I'm hitting up Murdoch's or wardel's on Saturday or Sunday (Murdoch's) to get more all flock feed organic non gmo. And more buckets. I have used up all 12 of my home depot buckets for various chicken things. I guess I should pick up another 20 buckets and lids since my flock seems to get bigger and bigger. I like to offer ff and wetted feed and let them choose, but the 26 itty bitty peep peeps go through food so fast b/c they mostly stand in the feeders and scratch it out, "hey, that is not a pedicure station spa bath for you!" I tell them.

Which leads to the whole cross contamination issues now, b/c chickens are dusty, and the feed is in the dust, and all this dust is making me sick b/c of the gluten.

 

[Percheron chick]

And more buckets. I have used up all 12 of my home depot buckets for various chicken things. I guess I should pick up another 20 buckets and lids since my flock seems to get bigger and bigger.

Don't pay a dime for buckets. Go to the bakery department in KS and ask them for buckets and lids. If you have a local burger joint, they get in all their pickle chips and condiments in 5 gallon buckets and will have a mountain of buckets in the back. I'm not too proud to check out the dumpsters behind them as well.