Feeding soy-free? HELP!!

[HighStreetCoop]

The only thing is that the hens eat the grains first and don't eat all the powder. They seem healthy.

Mine will eat the powder if that's all that's left in the bin, but I tend to take it back at the end of the week when I'm refilling the feeder and use it to make flockblock. So either don't refill until it's gone or recycle it. I've tried a couple other feeds (Game bird feed and Modesto Milling), but the birds didn't like either one as much as they do Scratch & Peck.

 

[beginnergirl]

Thanks. Will try making flock blocks with the remaining powder the hens don't eat. My hens do like Scratch & Peck which is soy free.

 

[NicChick]

Thanks everyone, for your input and ideas! I was getting ready to cave & buy Scratch n Peck online, but I knew my husband wouldn't like the price when considering how much we would be using. However, I was able to find a family run organic farm about 2 1/2 hours from ours that blends their own chicken feed. Organic and soy-free, for .37 a pound! I m picking up #80 this week, I am so excited- my hens better LOVE it, with how much time I have spent on this! LOL! And, we got our first teeny-tiny egg yesterday! They are only 4 1/2 months old, so I was very surprised to find it.

 

[rides2far]

Mine will eat the powder if that's all that's left in the bin, but I tend to take it back at the end of the week when I'm refilling the feeder and use it to make flockblock. So either don't refill until it's gone or recycle it. I've tried a couple other feeds (Game bird feed and Modesto Milling), but the birds didn't like either one as much as they do Scratch & Peck.

How do you make flock block? I tried soaking my powder, but pullets didn't really like it. A flock block might work better. Thanks.

 

[aray224]

Howdy, I feed my chickens (15 of them) Ranch-Way organic, no corn, no soy Layer with Omega. The Mill is in Fort Collins, CO. However I would call them and find out what the cost of shipping will be. I live in Oklahoma and there are no organic feed mills here. So I get my feed when I go through Colorado. My chickens have access to fermented and dry feed 24/7, they also spend their days in one of four 30X25ft paddocks, changed weekly. (to many predators to free range) I do believe you are correct in abstaining from eating soy. What your chickens eat does matter. I to do not eat soy in anything.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Quote:
I mix the leftover powder with stuff like mealworms, canned pumpkin, rehydrated alfalfa pellets, eggs, molasses, and then slow bake it on low (like 200) for several hours. If you google "homemade flock block" there are lots of ideas out there.

 

[rides2far]

I mix the leftover powder with stuff like mealworms, canned pumpkin, rehydrated alfalfa pellets, eggs, molasses, and then slow bake it on low (like 200) for several hours. If you google "homemade flock block" there are lots of ideas out there.

Thanks a million! I'm going to try that.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Well there is another item added to my bake it list.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

I make mine in a muffin tin and then freeze them. That way I can pop one or two into the run whenever I want to. I also use suet when I have broody hens and or new moms to get some CALORIES into the girls because they get soooooooo thin.

 

[rides2far]

Good idea. I freeze corn, etc., in muffin pans. If I used a bread pan, it would be more like a 'block.' Good idea about the suet, too. Everyone is so brilliant on BYC!