Well, now you can place your All Flock label next to it, and compare. Fresh is definitely a net positive. Local and non-GMO have whatever value you assign them. They aren't important to me, but my main egg buyer is willing to pay a premium for non-GMO, so non-GMO is what I buy. The moment he stops buying flats of eggs from me each week, I 'll change feeds to another mill, also fresh, also local, a few pennies per pound cheaper (my flock is in my sig, below) - the difference adds up pretty quick.
For reference, my local non-GMO feed is 18% protein (lower than I would like) and was $14.85/50# bag, last I picked up 10 bags of the stuff. A bit more when I buy in smaller quantity. My local (don't ask about GMO) feed, for comparison is a little over $13/50# bag and is 20% protein, which definitely makes a difference in my growing birds for early size and weight gain.
and on that note, I'm glad I've been at least a little bit helpful, and I think I'm going to call it an evening. Very best to you on your chicken journey!
Oh, targets...
The usual figures ar 18-20% protein, 3.5% fiber +/- (this is subject to a lot of variation in the literature, where it is rarely the focus), 3.5% +/- fat (again, subject to some variation, but generally no higher than 5% or 6% for cornish cross being raised for weight gain *not health* in expectation of an 8 week processing date). Lysine levels, depending on type and age, range from 0.7% to 1.3%, I look for at least 0.9%, and Methionine from 0.3% to 0.6% (briefly, 0.7% for some birds immediately after hatch - you just don't find that level in most feed, good natural sources of methionine are rare), I try and find 0.5% or better. If your feed got those things right, they usually get the others correct too.
Calcium levels and phosphorus levels (they are related) are a whole nother conversation, but for most, targeting a 1% calcium +/- with free choice oyster shell is the safe and effective answer. Higher levels are flock (type, age, gender) and management specific.
