Feed Recipe - Not Sure How Much Of What...

[WI FarmChick]

I use a little Calcium Carbonate in my mix because even the Roosters need a little Calcium in there feed.
There is not enough Calcium to harm the Roosters but enough to help with growth, feathers, etc.
On the Molasses/ Oil I use around 25 lbs per 500 pound mix give or take depending on how dusty the mix is. The Molasses is what ever the mill has on hand. The oil I like to use from time to time is a Corn/Soy Oil blend that I get through the mill that I use.

Chris

Thank You

 

[Reyvaughn]

20% Corn
15% Soybeans (Roasted)
15% Oats
10% Wheat
10% Grit
10% Alfalfa
5% Sunflowers
9% Fish Meal
6% Vitamins & Minerals (Kelp and NutriBalancer if I can get them)

Would that be better? This mix brings the cost for just the grains to $10.08 per 50#. So, it's more expensive. I also read that corn shouldn't be anymore than 15% of the grain total. Which, mine is now 20%. Maybe I should bring the wheat up to 15% and the corn back to down 15%? Or the alfalfa to 15% instead of the wheat? The alfalfa is cheaper...

 

[WI FarmChick]

Does this give you the protein % you are after?

 

[Chicks on DL]

This is the feed recipe I found and I use a variation of this. Some of the grains, after researching their vitamin content, I discovered the nutritional values were covered by other grains already. I paid special attention to amino acids since I am using an all vegetarian feed. Keep in mind my pullets find all kinds of worms in my yard and get to forage in the garden when we are done with a crop. Some of the grains I eliminated because of cost like Quinoa although it had a higher protein level than soybeans but so does split peas for that matter. I made a spreadsheet and made my choices carefully but it is a work in progress. My girls seem healthy and are continuing to grow. I have to feed them the sunflower as a treat each day because they will pick through the feed for the sunflower seeds.

http://www.greenerpasturesfarm.com/chickenfeedrecipe.html

 

[Reyvaughn]

Does this give you the protein % you are after?

No idea... Where do you find how much protein is in each ingredient?

Chicks on DL - I read it, but there are way to many things on there I can't get I figured it was best to just mix my own.

 

[Chicks on DL]

No idea... Where do you find how much protein is in each ingredient?

Chicks on DL - I read it, but there are way to many things on there I can't get I figured it was best to just mix my own.

I agree that there are too many ingredients that it is why I kept it to the least ingredients with the most nutrients. Oats, split peas, and flax have good nutrients but the oats are key. Oats are a perfect food for chickens and for humans.

 

[Reyvaughn]

I read that Linseed/Flax has good nutrition for chickens. Then I hear it isn't good for them. I may add it back into my mix. I can't get split peas... Just the whole roasted soybeans. I just know there won't be any byproducts or 'meals' in my mix.

Oh, and yes, the feed will be crackled/crimped. Not ground or mashed, though. Small enough for the babies, but not to small for the adults. My day olds were actually eating wild bird seed, so they should be okay with a crack/crimp mix.

 

[Chicks on DL]

I am grinding my own. I grind my own wheat for making bread so I have the grinder that you can adjust the grind.

 

[WI FarmChick]

Here is a good start. these would be close......as each field of grain would be a bit different..... but this is a good guide.

As for peas I use field peas (the ones they plant) my mill carries these. The farmers in your area must not plant peas...if you can't get them. (guess)

No idea... Where do you find how much protein is in each ingredient?

FOOD SOURCE %PROTEIN, BY WT


Dried fish flakes 76
Dried liver 76
Dried earthworms 76
Duckweed 50
Torula yeast 50
Brewers yeast 39
Soybeans (dry roasted) 37
Flaxseed 37
Alfalfa seed 35
Beef, lean 28
Earthworms 28
Fish 28
Sunflower seeds 26.3
Wheat germ 25
Peas & Beans, dried 24.5
Sesame seed 19.3
Soybeans (boiled) 17
Wheat bran 16.6
Oats, whole 14
Rice polish 12.8
Rye 12.5
Wheat 12.5
Barley 12.3
Oats 12
Corn 9
Millet 9
Milo 9
Rice, brown 7.5

 

[Reyvaughn]

Would Fish Meal be Dried Fish Flakes (76%)?
If so, the mix is 22% protein. That's a bit higher than I need and want. If fish meal is closer to fish (37%) then it's 18% and about right as I want 18-20%.


ETA:
I found it! Fish meal is 60-76%. So, I am running a bit high.