HELP.....I think I have been spending too much on my feed/on disability, and just read about MILO]

[debb7898]

I had a farmer friend of mine offer me some MILO, and after reading some of ya'll comments, Im thiking Im really crazy. LOL I have been spending 60.00 every month to feed my flock of 24

I didnt even know what Milo was, however I do know, I need to keep my feed as cheap as possible, as you know living on disability, and selling eggs to helpl me fiancially a little, is a no go,

Please tell me what I can mix with their layer pellets, how much, and what is all this im reading about putting water on it. I thought if it got wet it wasnt any good. Yep your right Im very new to this, this is my 2nd year, WOW is all I can say, and Thankyou In Advance for your in put.,

p.s. How does Mile come, I really havent answered him yet cause I havent felt good, and working on my business and marketing, so You can imagine what was runing through my head when he asked me if I needed some, and started researching, it. LOL thanks Peeps. xx

 

[chfite]

To start including Milo or Sorghum in your feed, read what is available to decide on the correct formulation. Sorghum seems to be a good substitute for corn, so it should be a good option. Since the grain is coming from a farmer friend, the price might be an extremely attractive component.

Chris

 

[Fred's Hens]

I would feed it but merely mixing it with your layer pellets won't get the job done. You'll see milo, typically, as a small, red grain and is often blended into common scratch grains. It is a common grain for feed and you'll see fields of it, as far as the eye can see, in Nebraska, for example.

BUT… much like feeding corn, you'll need a high impact, high protein mix to even it out. I'd feed a 24% GameBird type feed, or even a high protein Starter and make that GameBird or Starter at least 1/3 of their diet. You'll also need to supplement calcium. It will be lacking in Starter, GameBird or milo as well. If you find you have thin shells on the eggs, you'll have consider putting calcium carbonate directly into the feed mix, not just offering shells on the side.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Have you checked out the fermenting and the growing fodder threads, both might work to stretch the feed you have. Local mills sometimes also sell a poultry concentrate, which is formulated to mix with grains (usually corn) to make a Layer-type feed. You might be able to use something like that if you can get a lot of milo as part of their feed.

 

[res]

Is it old milo from cleaning out his bins, combine, and trucks? If so, just be sure it isn't moldy.

We use milo a lot, but only as a scratch grain/treat.

Here's the stats on milo sorghum from my college feeding and nutrition book. This is for sorghum milo, and the values vary a bit if you are feeding bicolor, Johnson, sudan, etc.

10-11.3% protein
2.2-2.5% fiber
3226 kcal/kg ME-N

Milo is found in lots of livestock feed in a processed form.

We've fattened our own cattle on home-grown whole milo for generations.

I am not sure, in this day, age, economy, etc. that I would rely on whole milo to feed my flock in a economical manner. I am sure they would love to eat it, but not sure they would thrive and produce eggs consistently on just whole milo. But then again, if it is free, what do you have to lose?

 

[res]

Forgot to add - your farmer friend may be offering the milo in whole heads - what you see growing in the fields. If he had a patch he couldn't get to with the combine due to wet ground, terrain, or whatever, he may be bringing you some whole heads that he cut by hand. My grandpa used to do that - wouldn't ever waste a bit of the field!

If it is something he had leftover in bins or from cleaning the trucks/combines, it is probably whole milo. If you wanted it processed, you might see if a local co-op has the milling equipment to roll it or crack it - but that isn't really necessary for chickens. The co-op may even be willing to custom mix a feed blend for you for a very affordable price. I know the co-ops in Sedgwick and Harvey counties in Kansas will do that - you give them the nutritional parameters, and they will mix it for you. I *used* to be able to calculate the same thing in college - I LOVED doing the math and mixing rations, but I have forgotten all of it years ago!