Okay, so I have read sooo much about chicken feed. I haved determined a couple of things: I really don't want soy or gmo and do want organic if possible. So, here is what I have come up with and just wanted to run it by everyone...
My local mill makes feed with the different protein amounts. However, they use soy. Other than tht, it seems to be a complete feed, nutrients, grit, etc. Their price is very reasonable, like 15 for 50 lbs and everything is organically raised, just not certified. So, my dilemma is replacing the protein. He hasfish meal, which I have read pros and cons with and am unsure about usin it or at least not in large quantities. I have price flax, sesame, sunflower seeds, etc. While they are pretty expensive, I could use them in some sort of comination with other protein. I have read about raising meal worms. That seems to be easy, cheap, good protein source. I have also read about sprouting grains/beans/peas and have seen where some say the protein increases, some say it doesn't. Some say it is highly worth the effort while others say it is not. I am open to tryig it out. I have also read that the fiber increases too much for the chickens to handle.
So, given all of that, what does this plan sound like? Buy local feed with soy left out. Replace protein with 10% of total weight of flax, sprout for another 10% of their feed and finally throw in meal worms (not sure how to measure that). They will also be allowed to forage and I plan on planting them their own garden. How do I know if they are getting enough protein? At what age can they begin on this? I have bought medicated starter but really don't want to feed them the medication or at least not for very long since some will be meat birds. Also, any suggestions on what I could plant for them to forgae that thy would really like and that would be super healthy? I have read most greens and grasses are good for them. But, at the same time, I have read they can get too much oxalic acid.
Any tips greatly appreciated. This is so confusing trying to figure out what to feed and we are just now picking them up a babies today. I am sure it is much easier to do once you are in the process.
Thanks for help and patience!
My local mill makes feed with the different protein amounts. However, they use soy. Other than tht, it seems to be a complete feed, nutrients, grit, etc. Their price is very reasonable, like 15 for 50 lbs and everything is organically raised, just not certified. So, my dilemma is replacing the protein. He hasfish meal, which I have read pros and cons with and am unsure about usin it or at least not in large quantities. I have price flax, sesame, sunflower seeds, etc. While they are pretty expensive, I could use them in some sort of comination with other protein. I have read about raising meal worms. That seems to be easy, cheap, good protein source. I have also read about sprouting grains/beans/peas and have seen where some say the protein increases, some say it doesn't. Some say it is highly worth the effort while others say it is not. I am open to tryig it out. I have also read that the fiber increases too much for the chickens to handle.
So, given all of that, what does this plan sound like? Buy local feed with soy left out. Replace protein with 10% of total weight of flax, sprout for another 10% of their feed and finally throw in meal worms (not sure how to measure that). They will also be allowed to forage and I plan on planting them their own garden. How do I know if they are getting enough protein? At what age can they begin on this? I have bought medicated starter but really don't want to feed them the medication or at least not for very long since some will be meat birds. Also, any suggestions on what I could plant for them to forgae that thy would really like and that would be super healthy? I have read most greens and grasses are good for them. But, at the same time, I have read they can get too much oxalic acid.
Any tips greatly appreciated. This is so confusing trying to figure out what to feed and we are just now picking them up a babies today. I am sure it is much easier to do once you are in the process.
Thanks for help and patience!
