Fodder

[aart]

Ready for winter feathers. I normally get 4 eggs a day . I got 1 yesterday fssss

Can anyone help please? . I feed pellet in mornings n grain in afternoon. And they have a mash n grit feeder throughout the day .

Is this normal. ?

@ashleighchicken it's more polite to start a new thread to ask your questions rather than high jacking someone else's thread.
Try looking here for your answer https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/423023/why-arent-my-chickens-laying-here-are-your-answers

 

[Mrs. K]

Stressed hens are much more susceptible to parasites. Many people have something against prepared feed, but it is nutritious, meets the hens needs, and does not stress them.

If you want to add to that, it is fine, but egg laying and feather quality are signs of health.

As for the poster that thought that they would get used to it if given it long enough, I thought of the man and horse story. "He was going to train his horse to get by without hay. Every day, he was going to give the horse one less piece of hay, that way the horse would gradually eat less and less, until eventually he would not need any hay. When asked how his theory worked, he said he didn't know, the horse died before he got him trained."

 

[chickenman111]

The fodder that I have given them is a 50/50 combination of barley, and field peas. Should I drop the field peas or add a different grain, in addition to giving them layer feed?

 

[aart]

The fodder that I have given them is a 50/50 combination of barley, and field peas. Should I drop the field peas or add a different grain, in addition to giving them layer feed?

You'll have to do the research on nutrition content.


I like to feed an 'all flock' 20% protein crumble to all ages and genders. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat. I have calcium available at all times for the layers, oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container. The higher protein crumble offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer.

 

[chickenman111]

Ok, I'll do some research, and I'll let you know what I find.

 

[nepoisopen]

I've noticed with my flock that trying to "sprout" Field Peas into FODDER wasn't successful, BUT, I do feed Field Peas instead of SOY as a protein source, SO, take that as you will?
(maybe put some Field Peas as free choice?)
So now, we use 1/3 Wheat, 1/3 Barley, and 1/3 BOSS (Black Oil Sunflower Seed)
This mix has worked for us when it comes to making good "FODDER" that sprouts nicely.
They say to sprout 2.5 LBS of Fodder a day for 25 chickens.
The breakdown we use is 1.32 LBS Wheat .66 LBS Barley .50 LBS of BOSS
Reading the research papers on changing diets of hens, they all say that one has to expect a certain period of time for the hens to "acclimate" to the new diet.
Just like a human, you're not going to see the benefits or difference if you only commit to a diet for a few days, then say: "To heck with this, it's not working for me", and go back to the other habits.
Just my experience, give it time, the scientific data agrees:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19373724

Quote:
(TLDR VERSION: Hens exhibited some negative reactions initially but overall, showed improvements)
That was for Fermented Feed Experiments, but one could say that the same conclusions could have been drawn from feeding FODDER, based on others experiences.

I think if one wanted the best of both worlds, one would continue feeding layer pellets of one's choice (whatever they are) and feed fodder for a few weeks.
Though this would not immediately decrease your price of feed, over time, you'll notice the layers eating less and less layer feed, and more and more fodder until you could "gauge" how much of each to leave out.

Good luck.
Cheers.
-KS

 

[chickenman111]

What's a good brand of BOSS Sunflower Seed to get? I've had trouble finding it.

 

[nepoisopen]

I'm lucky in that I can get BOSS from the local Hardware Store (True Value), I also know that my Feed Store carries it, and I've seen it at Wal Mart too.
I get something called: "Missouri Sunflower Seeds" because I live in Missouri, it comes in a brown papery bag, just like any other feed I get from the feed store.
If I had to go to Wal Mart or Tractor Supply and get it, I'd get Katy Brand (if they have it), though really, as long as it's not roasted or salted or whatever, I don't think you'll have much problems.
YMMV, however, depending on where you live.
It's one of the more "expensive" ingredients in my mix, I pay about $15 for a 50 lb batch, but that lasts me quite a long time since I'm not using much.
Good luck!
Sorry to hear you're having so many issues.
Such is the fun?! of chickens and nature!
Cheers
-KS

 

[lazy gardener]

If BOSS is your most expensive ingredient at $15/#, you're very blessed. Barley: 22.64, Wheat 23.96/50# And that's coming from about 25 miles away. $10 more per bag in my closest city... 18 miles. I've not priced BOSS yet, but expect that it will be more expensive... probably close to a buck/#.

 

[nepoisopen]

Yikes!
I get my stuff from a feed store, that radically decreased my price, I did have to go out of my element (about 50 miles roundtrip) but I buy a bunch at a time.
Try to find a feed supplier/grain mill?
That's what I had to do, and it was so worth it.
Cheers
-KS