grinding mixed seed feed in blender?

[OzChickens]

any good / bad issues if I grind my mixed seed feed in a blender?

I'm feeding my flock mixed seed, they will selectively eat and leave seed they done like unless the feeder runs empty enough for them to get hungry.

did a test batch of a few cupfuls of mixed seed into a kitchen blender, grinds the seed into fine dust. chickens ate with enthusiasm.

any good/bad issues with doing this?

I figure it must make digestion easier. I've been experimenting with fermenting feed, the reduced feed costs are an incentive. I'm hoping ground feed will achieve similar reduction in feed costs.

I don't know if it will create impacted crop block, or other issues.

I can see the grinding creating too much dust if blended for too long. I expect the commercial grinders will let particles under a nominal size fall through.

the ground feed behaves differently in my feeders. any dampness causes the ground feed to become sticky and hang up, maybe less suitable in wet weather.

 

[ChaosMom]

any good / bad issues if I grind my mixed seed feed in a blender?

I'm feeding my flock mixed seed, they will selectively eat and leave seed they done like unless the feeder runs empty enough for them to get hungry.

did a test batch of a few cupfuls of mixed seed into a kitchen blender, grinds the seed into fine dust. chickens ate with enthusiasm.

any good/bad issues with doing this?

I figure it must make digestion easier. I've been experimenting with fermenting feed, the reduced feed costs are an incentive. I'm hoping ground feed will achieve similar reduction in feed costs.

I don't know if it will create impacted crop block, or other issues.

I can see the grinding creating too much dust if blended for too long. I expect the commercial grinders will let particles under a nominal size fall through.

the ground feed behaves differently in my feeders. any dampness causes the ground feed to become sticky and hang up, maybe less suitable in wet weather.

Can you set your blender to a coarse setting, or is it all or nothing?

 

[MichaelDJ]

I "crack" not grind only a couple of things
1) Soy
2) dried peas.

I ferment everything and they eat just about everything - very little waste

FYI I use a wondermill

 

[OzChickens]

Can you set your blender to a coarse setting, or is it all or nothing?

on the blender i am using, it is just the one setting. the longer I leave it in the blender, the more complete and consistent the size reduction.

 

[Rangergord]

Yes to grinding and/or fermentation. I grew up on a farm grinding whole grains into feed for chickens and cows with an electric powered metal burr grinder, then we mixed it with sour milk from the cow along with vitamin and mineral supplement and soy meal.

 

[Perris]

as soon as you break the surface the contents start oxidising and losing their nutrients, so if you choose to grind, you will have to use up the ground seeds quickly. Whole, the seeds will be good for at least a year.

Selective eating is because they have had enough of whatever they get from the left seeds. Watch to see what they eat first, and get more of them into your mix. Expect to have to change this over time; each bird's needs are different and each bird's needs change with their health, when the moult, when they want to breed etc.