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

[Reyvaughn]

I lost count around 130. I have 51 due to hatch in the next 3 days and 10 more in 2 more weeks. I have 14-18 boys that need dispatched, though. I bought 'Australorps and Delawares" from a local breeder that are all mixed and all will be sold/ate. I still have another 14+/- weeks for them to grow out, though.

 

[WI FarmChick]

OK know I know why you can buy a ton of feed....LOL I have 40

 

[Cyndi in Iowa]

Wow, this thread is SUPER helpful! Thanks so much for having this "conversation"! (I am new to BYC, boy am I glad I found this site!) We raise corn, beans and beef cattle in Iowa, planning to use our own corn for sure... Can you tell me why the soybeans need to be "roasted"? And really, what exactly does that mean? I would think a chicken in the wild would go ahead and eat any old bean they found, rather than waiting for Laura or Mary to go roast it at the cookstove

 

[WI FarmChick]

Wow, this thread is SUPER helpful! Thanks so much for having this "conversation"! (I am new to BYC, boy am I glad I found this site!) We raise corn, beans and beef cattle in Iowa, planning to use our own corn for sure... Can you tell me why the soybeans need to be "roasted"? And really, what exactly does that mean? I would think a chicken in the wild would go ahead and eat any old bean they found, rather than waiting for Laura or Mary to go roast it at the cookstove

LOL......This site is awesome. below is a quote from there. That's great you can grow some of your grains.


http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Poultry.html

As for soybeans. . .

At one time farmers grew many different legumes to feed livestock. Following the “soybean revolution,” however, soybeans are typically the only feed legume available in most areas. If you only have access to soybeans for your feeds, remember a few important points. Whole soybeans are the best option if you can get them, but make sure they are roasted. Never feed raw soybeans to any livestock—they contain growth-inhibiting factors which are a disaster for the animals who eat them. From commercial sources, the typical form of soy available is soybean meal as a byproduct of processing soy oil. Not only can such meals contain residues of hexane (a solvent used to extract the oil), but the high heat and pressure of the processing rancidifies whatever fats remain—that is, soybean meal is a stale feed. Finally, most soybean in the American market today is genetically modified, a fact deeply troubling to many thoughtful homesteaders.

 

[Chris09]

Wow, this thread is SUPER helpful! Thanks so much for having this "conversation"! (I am new to BYC, boy am I glad I found this site!) We raise corn, beans and beef cattle in Iowa, planning to use our own corn for sure... Can you tell me why the soybeans need to be "roasted"? And really, what exactly does that mean? I would think a chicken in the wild would go ahead and eat any old bean they found, rather than waiting for Laura or Mary to go roast it at the cookstove

Raw soybeans contain Trypsin Inhibitor (TI), which reduces protein digestion and feed efficiency it also contains Urease which breaks urea down into Ammonia.
Since you raise Beef Cattle here is a quote from Mississippi State University extension service that states some problems with feeding Raw Soybean to cattle particular young preruminant calves.

Quote:

Therefore, it is not recommended to feed raw soybeans to monogastrics or young preruminant calves (nursing calves or calves less than 300 pounds). If raw soybeans are offered to cows with calves, there is a risk that the calves may consume these soybeans. Another concern is that raw soybeans contain urease. Urease breaks urea down into

ammonia. This is of importance if cattle are receiving a supplement or feed that contains urea (non-protein nitrogen, NPN). The increased activity of urease in raw soybeans can result in a more rapid breakdown of urea into ammonia within the rumen, potentially leading to ammonia toxicity and cattle death. Be aware of all ingredients in feeds provided to cattle.
Many commercially available protein tubs and blocks contain urea, which can potentially be fatal to cattle when fed in conjunction with raw soybeans. Range cubes may also contain urea. Do not feed any combination of urea-containing products and raw soybeans to cattle.



Chris

 

[Cyndi in Iowa]

Thanks for the info, Chris.

 

[micareli]

about 25 yrs ago, my father in law would drive his rambler 225 miles each way to get Extruded Soybean Meal, at that time closest place to get extruded meal..... it was supposed the best available for his sizeable swine herd..... he mixed it with his ground corn....... then about 2000 " science " then claimed it wasnt any better..... but he flt like it made a massive difference

 

[Reyvaughn]

I got the salt and mineral (and vitamin) list form the mill. I have NO idea what I am looking at. -sigh- I felt smart for about 3 days. Now back to being lost like a 5th grader looking at the SATs for the first time.

 

[chicks4fun]

So have you decided on a final recipe?

 

[Reyvaughn]

Not exactly.
I need to find out what's in their own vitamin / trace mineral base.

They do have...
A-D-E @ .95 lb
Biotin @ .85 lb
D.L. Methionine @ 3.30 lb
Mag. Sulfate @ .37 lb
Niacin @ 4.45 lb
Zinc Sulfate ?
(All of these are in Nutri-balancer)
But, it may be cheaper to do their v/m base and just add some binder.

Something I did find is that the alfalfa has a lot of vitamins. It's a shame I can't mix a feed that has everything I need without adding 'man made' vitamins and minerals. Oh well...