Feed Pricing - looking ahead

[Brooks_]

The lady at the store says it's totally fine to feed them the layer, I know better though

Depending on how long you want to keep them, it can be perfectly fine.

 

[NatJ]

I've been assured that meat bird/game starter is fine for males. I'd imaginebit would be fine for females too so long as you add oyster shell

The oyster shell goes in a separate dish, not mixed with the meat bird feed or any other feed. That way the hens can eat the amount they need, the roosters can taste it and then not eat any more, and the person doesn't have to figure out how much is "right" for their flock.

(I know @JacinLarkwell knows this, but I'm stating it for the people who might not know it yet.)

 

[SpicyDisaster]

Depending on how long you want to keep them, it can be perfectly fine.

They are going to be part of a breeding project so for several years at least.

 

[Brooks_]

They are going to be part of a breeding project so for several years at least.

Then no to layer.

 

[Brooks_]

According to the website, I will no longer get a lower price in store and my increase will be substantial.

@U_Stormcrow, would you mind ranking these choices from a nutritional stand point. I am hoping you have notes and that I'm not asking you to do any new research. I thank you in advance and greatly appreciate your help.

Purina flock raiser 20%
Dumor starter 20%
Nutrena all flock 20%
Nutrena meat bird 22%
Nutrena starter 18%

 

[U_Stormcrow]

According to the website, I will no longer get a lower price in store and my increase will be substantial.

@U_Stormcrow, would you mind ranking these choices from a nutritional stand point. I am hoping you have notes and that I'm not asking you to do any new research. I thank you in advance and greatly appreciate your help.

Purina flock raiser 20%
Dumor starter 20%
Nutrena all flock 20%
Nutrena meat bird 22%
Nutrena starter 18%

You've already done it.

Purina is my personal preference, on a marginal basis. Then the Dumor, which has the nutrition, though the bag quality is a frequent complaint (powder) as is product age, then the Nutrena products (which I've been happy with, they are jsut considerably more expensive/lb than the others typically, and have lower general Methionine and Lysine levels - which are most important if you have pre point of lay birds developing, less important if you have nothing but adult layers).

On the All Flock/Meat Bird, take the meat bird if they are the same price or if they are near identical and you have lots of birds prior to point of lay. Otherwise, the small increase in benefit from higher protein, Met, Lys aren't worth even a few cents per pound in a flock of any size.

 

[Brooks_]

Thank you. I'll weigh that with freshness and price to make the best choice on any given day. It looks like Dumor will have the best price at .35/lb then the Nutrena line at .42/lb with FR at .44/lb.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Just got back from the feed store. Price has doubled AGAIN this month. At this rate, I will need to consider long and hard if 10 chickens is worth $50 a month in feed. I'm leaning towards "No! No they're not!" But then... what will tomorrow bring at the grocer when I go to buy chicken meat & eggs?? I've a mind to buy a year's worth of poultry for my freezer at the grocer and send all but my rooster and his three favorite hens to the freezer farm as well. I have a fully fenced half acre that four birds could pretty much survive on if I supplement a little more with table scraps. Prices skyrocketing and no end to the upward trend is in sight.

 

[Brooks_]

Just got back from the feed store. Price has doubled AGAIN this month. At this rate, I will need to consider long and hard if 10 chickens is worth $50 a month in feed. I'm leaning towards "No! No they're not!" But then... what will tomorrow bring at the grocer when I go to buy chicken meat & eggs?? I've a mind to buy a year's worth of poultry for my freezer at the grocer and send all but my rooster and his three favorite hens to the freezer farm as well. I have a fully fenced half acre that four birds could pretty much survive on if I supplement a little more with table scraps. Prices skyrocketing and no end to the upward trend is in sight.

Wow. If I've read your posts correctly, you have price controls on eggs and meat but not feed. Is this correct?

 

[AgnesGray]

Thank you. I'll weigh that with freshness and price to make the best choice on any given day. It looks like Dumor will have the best price at .35/lb then the Nutrena line at .42/lb with FR at .44/lb.

Interesting... We pay $0.3825/lb buying in bulk for organic and soy free. Buying conventional and/or with soy is much cheaper around here, if you're able to buy in bulk. (1 ton)