Feeding the Flock Frugally

[jolenesdad]

What a timely post as I am looking into fermenting feed anyway, saw this post and figured there would end up being a great discussion on it re: wasting food. Thanks for starting it.

I'd look at some boredom busters to give them more things to do other than just eat. Definitely experiment with fermenting feed. Maybe sprouting grains, too? You could also setup a mealworm farm so that you are growing a really high-protein treat that should also help reduce the feed cost. I haven't looked at where you are at, but, I myself am thinking of starting a garden area with kale and other things that I can harvest periodically throughout the season for the chickens. This may not apply to you with winter coming up.

Ive seen this big trend with dogs lately to have "interactive treat games" and feeding bowls that causes them to SLOW DOWN to eat, or take much longer to get to the treat. Im wondering if those exist for chickens? Does anyone try this in any kind of DIY way? (doing something to the way you feed chickens to cause them to slow down their consumption by searching out their food or blocking how much they can get at a time?)

 

[Melky]

Agreed @Melky with save some of in the bottom of bucket so next ferment doesn’t take so long .

I’m sure you know acv is a hot button topic , I use it because it keeps bugs away and gives the chickens ( just like people) a nice gut flora , believe it or not we each have to decide , I’ve done both but especially in fall and spring I’m adding acv and crushed garlic to my ff.

Soupy ? Dry? Again it’s your choice I’d rather have liquid on top that they like to drink then white mold which is ok for them to eat ...

Have fun

I have heard of ACV and crushed garlic in the water. I don’t know how many people do that but probably same theory.

 

[Melky]

What a timely post as I am looking into fermenting feed anyway, saw this post and figured there would end up being a great discussion on it re: wasting food. Thanks for starting it.

I'd look at some boredom busters to give them more things to do other than just eat. Definitely experiment with fermenting feed. Maybe sprouting grains, too? You could also setup a mealworm farm so that you are growing a really high-protein treat that should also help reduce the feed cost. I haven't looked at where you are at, but, I myself am thinking of starting a garden area with kale and other things that I can harvest periodically throughout the season for the chickens. This may not apply to you with winter coming up.

Ive seen this big trend with dogs lately to have "interactive treat games" and feeding bowls that causes them to SLOW DOWN to eat, or take much longer to get to the treat. Im wondering if those exist for chickens? Does anyone try this in any kind of DIY way? (doing something to the way you feed chickens to cause them to slow down their consumption by searching out their food or blocking how much they can get at a time?)

The product I know of is chick ball and I do have one. My chicks so like to play with it. I got it for a boredom buster and they do have to work a little bit to get out the greens. It’s for greens mostly. Another thing is to hang a small head of cabbage in the run. That said my girls started this in the brooder cuz MPC had one on sale for couple bucks and threw it in my order. I couldn’t DIY it this cheap. They also sell chicken salad a mix of seed for greens you can grow and give to your chickens also on sale. I got both and the seed had an excellent germination rate and already cutting and placing in chick ball. It takes 4-5 weeks to go before they recommend harvesting. I think TSC has the chick balls too. That said you’d think my chicks greens would last days nope they kill it in one afternoon. So I just keep the treats below 10% and they peck the ball even when empty for fun. It has a little bell inside. Interesting and good question.

 

[snow5164]

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 ....

 

[Melky]

I have a Mealworm Treat Recipe you can make homemade.

Ingredients:
2 cups oats
1/2 cup chopped nuts (you choose)
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup mealworms
1/2 cup raisins

Stir in
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup molasses

Place in silicone molds or on cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.
Scoop out with ice cream scoop to place on sheet.
Bake at 325 for 20 minutes

Courtesy of Lisa Steele’s website
You can access and watch video on her website. It’s cheaper to make than buy treat cakes. It’s a nice mealworm seed cake ball that may entertain and treat for awhile. I have another one from Meyer but that one is more complicated and likely costs more to make.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

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 ....

Wow. Really. I pack the suet feeder with veggies it's gone in an instant. I rarely feed them real suet though. Just once in awhile. I don't think they like it as much.

 

[Melky]

Wow. Really. I pack the suet feeder with veggies it's gone in an instant. I rarely feed them real suet though. Just once in awhile. I don't think they like it as much.

I think they would enjoy the veggies!

 

[teriz1091]

Wow, thank you for all the responses! I haven’t been on in a few days. Instead of responding to each individually, I’ll try to hit a few in one post.

- we have 2 separate pens of birds. In one pen (our original) we have 3 hens who are 3yrs old and one 1yr old hen. They get fed 2 cups of feed per day & I throw a cup of bird seed (I think I said scratch. I just use bird seed). The other pen has 6 hens, 3 guineas, a turkey & a duck. Their feeder is a 5-gallon bucket with holes drilled in it, set in a roaster pan. It holds 25lbs of feed and we just keep food in it, basically.

- feeding them more on a schedule, especially the larger pen, is definitely an option to try. It hadn’t even crossed my mind. I will give it a shot.

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

- we have a dog, a 12yr old Aussie, who is a great protector. However, he is getting old & has preferred to stay in the house during the day this summer. Now that it has cooled off, I’ve been putting him in the dog pen during the day & letting all the birds loose. Obviously having him locked up will not prevent a predator from taking a bird, but I think having him out & able to bark at things is a good deterrence. We didn’t lose a bird this week. As long as the weather is nice, I’ll keep having him out during the day. Free ranging saves a bunch of feed.

Thank you for the suggestions!

 

[FlomatonsFlocks]

Sprout fodder from oats

 

[KentuckyRooster]

A huge help is the type of feeder you use- I use two types, my outer coops have feeders that fill like a waterer so they can't get in and kick food everywhere, indoor pens utilize hanging parrot crocks for the same reason so they stand at chest height and eat. More than half my feed was getting kicked to the floor out of regular bowls, which was messy and expensive.
You can add scraps and veggies to supplement a portion of the diet but not too much.
But, you may just need to decrease the number as well.