Feeding the Flock Frugally

[snow5164]

I use food grade acv without the mother( that’s too expensive )from the grocery store , I start with day old chicks fermenting their chick feed

 

[Molpet]

I feed fermented feed from day one.. I skip the acv .. I use this method (clift notes by a BYC member) https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

We are on a very tight budget. We have a mixed flock of 10 hens, 3 guineas, a turkey & a duck.

The hens range in age with the oldest being 3yrs and the youngest few just coming to maturity. The other birds are just reaching maturity.

We feed 16% layer, just the Tractor Supply brand. They are confined to their coop/pen most of the day, but we do let them out for a few hours after work & longer on the weekends to free range. They used to free range all the time, but we had a predator problem. Since being confined, our feed bill has skyrocketed (obviously). We are going through 50lbs about every 2 weeks. They are also fed a cup or so of scratch daily as well as whatever table scraps we give them when available.

Any ideas for easing feed cost? Unfortunately free ranging them more is not an option due to the predators.

Check to make sure that you don't have a rodent problem. Do you put your feed up at night? Do you just let them have access to unlimited feed or do you ration it? I feed 1 cup per animal per day. It seems to work. Admittedly, I only have 9 birds. But, I don't go through as much feed if you think of the amount per bird.
My newest problem is that the sparrows have decided to help themselves to the ducks feed.
I might give the fermenting a try some day when I have time to do so and can figure out a system that works for me.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I can't see how you can do it much cheaper, I just looked up the Domur feed I think you are talking about and its 14.69 for 50 pounds, so your feed cost is less than $30 a month. So if you are getting an average of 6 eggs a day out of those ten hens your cost per egg is about .16

Store bought eggs are cheaper if cost is the biggest factor eat the chickens and buy eggs?

Gary

 

[gocgo]

Tractor Supply is notoriously high on feed prices. The chicks are cheap, but the feed and accessories are expensive. I get my feed elsewhere for about 3 bucks per 50 lb. bag cheaper. If you know of someone who brews their own beer, ask them what they do with their discarded grain after soaking. I have a neighbor that gives me his soaked grain which I then dry and bag and use as treats.

 

[centrarchid]

We are on a very tight budget. We have a mixed flock of 10 hens, 3 guineas, a turkey & a duck.

The hens range in age with the oldest being 3yrs and the youngest few just coming to maturity. The other birds are just reaching maturity.

We feed 16% layer, just the Tractor Supply brand. They are confined to their coop/pen most of the day, but we do let them out for a few hours after work & longer on the weekends to free range. They used to free range all the time, but we had a predator problem. Since being confined, our feed bill has skyrocketed (obviously). We are going through 50lbs about every 2 weeks. They are also fed a cup or so of scratch daily as well as whatever table scraps we give them when available.

Any ideas for easing feed cost? Unfortunately free ranging them more is not an option due to the predators.

Do you have a farners coop in your area? I can get feed for 2/3's the price that is otherwise of similar quality from the Missouri Farmers Association (MFA). Packaging is not as fancy and more fines involved owing to less sorting after milling. I also use a grower feed that is cut using shelled corn, oats, wheat when cheap, millet, and BOSS. The birds have free-choice access to the grower and the mix used to cut is varied with temperature. Free-choice access to grit and oyster shell also used. Free-range time also provided with supervision for my older American Dominique hens that are too valuable to loose to predators.

 

[dogkahuna]

Consider planting forage for your flock. Alfalfa, clover, annual rye, kale, rape, mustard, buckwheat, lettuces, dock (also called sorrel), cowpea, clover, sorghum, chicory, and dandelions all are great for chickens (and this is a small list.)

With some time, the only expense is buying seeds.

 

[TheLaboratoryBF]

I have just started getting into this myself, but you may want to consider growing fodder. I'm only doing a couple trays at a time, but you can set up a pretty good sized system using supplies you may already have on hand. I've started with BOSS, but it's amazing to me that a handful of seeds can triple or quadruple in size in just a few days. From what I've read (about BOSS, anyway), it also increases the digestibility by about 50% and protein goes from 17% dry to 24-30% sprouted! Definitely more bang for your feed dollar.

 

[Barry42001]

Feeding a flock of 30 Birds I would go through 200 lb of feed every two weeks I also went through a hundred pounds of sweet feed barnyard delight. Of course the birds throw feet all over the place half burying it in the dirt. But if I see a bunch of food is mixed in with the sand I reduce the amount of actual feed I replace it with I make them dig it out

 

[llombardo]

Ard you feeding crumble or pellet?

I have 8 chickens and 3 ducks. 50 pounds lasts between 2-3 weeks if it crumble. I got pellets on accident the last time and it lasted between 1-2 weeks. Noticeable difference.

I have fermented feed in the past. I had an issue with my dog finding it on the 3rd day and eating it. He got it like three times. I have to find a better place --that don't attract anything and do it again. They seem to like wet food better and I did notice when I was successful with it--a little bit went a long way.