Feeding the Flock Frugally

[Perris]

what in the world is fermented feed? I’ve never heard of it.

there are quite a few threads on this site about it which offer much food for thought on different people's experience with it, and this blog entry covers the basics in a relaxed easy-to-follow style with references and links to evidence for claims made, and further details

 

[skullgrrrl]

I have reduced lots of my expenses by using freecycle, hunting for things at garage sales and recycling centres, joining food recovery programs and asking for just about anything I think people might offer for free/cheap.

Check out my article about keeping birds on a budget: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...udget-tips-from-the-queen-of-freecycle.73465/

I hope you find it helpful.

 

[JeanetteDunn]

Compost. I have two compost bins in my run. The chickens love getting bugs and food scraps I throw in there. Between that and free-ranging, mine hardly touch their food. You might be able to work out a deal to get vegetable scraps that a local grocery store or restaurant throws away. (Maybe barter with the restaurant for some eggs.) When they are laying, you can crush up the shells, and throw those in the compost. They get their calcium back that way. That saves on oyster shell. I also share what I grow in the garden with the chickens.

 

[rabiee]

We stopped at our local feed and hardware store one day and were surprised that a 50lb bag of layer feed was the same price as the small bags (I think they were 20lbs) we were getting from Tractor Supply. I would try to shop around and see what other stores offer for price.

 

[RollTideChicken]

We stopped at our local feed and hardware store one day and were surprised that a 50lb bag of layer feed was the same price as the small bags (I think they were 20lbs) we were getting from Tractor Supply. I would try to shop around and see what other stores offer for price.

It's the same for me. My county Co op have feed much cheaper and at a lower sales tax rate than the closest TSC.

 

[rabiee]

It's the same for me. My county Co op have feed much cheaper and at a lower sales tax rate than the closest TSC.

I’ve started to notice that almost everything is more expensive at TSC. We just bought a giant bag of meal worms from f
Runnings for $13 and change last week, a small bag at TSC is that if not more.

 

[C0987]

I purchased one of those square metal suet block holders years ago for wild birds . Now I stuff it with romaine lettuce and veggie cuttings ... it takes them along time to empty it .

I just bought some suet with black oil seeds and millet in it , I froze them offered one at our first frost this year.( 3 for $9.00 at the feed store )

After two full days of checking it out they are now pecking at it very cautiously ....

Hello, for the metal bird feeders you are using, have you every used diy blocks? I have seen some recipes for making them that say to use whatever bird seed and some vegetable shortening or peanut butter to form the shape.

Has anyone tried this?

I have fed my chickens some wild bird seed we put into our bird feeders and they seemed to enjoy it, but don't know if the peanut butter or vegetable shortening is safe/good for them.