Homemade chicken feed = later laying??

[Folly's place]

I looked, and I'm not so impressed. "Free rang birds get lots of protein from bugs" Really? In winter, in snow? Where? And again, there's no assay, or vitamin/ mineral mix, and lots of interesting grains, so it looks impressive. I'm being cranky, but there it is. Talk to an actual poultry nutritionist, not another non-professional! Mary

 

[FrankHomestead]

I looked, and I'm not so impressed. "Free rang birds get lots of protein from bugs" Really? In winter, in snow? Where? And again, there's no assay, or vitamin/ mineral mix, and lots of interesting grains, so it looks impressive. I'm being cranky, but there it is. Talk to an actual poultry nutritionist, not another non-professional! Mary

It's OK, lol, I feel your frustration. I'm not basing anything on any one post or blog, I've read dozens and dozens. I never stop reading haha this shall be an amazing learning journey for me! I can't shake the feeling that I can successfully do it myself, and I'm going to invest the time into formulating my own perfect feed

 

[TexasSam]

This is my feed recipe

I don't see anything with calcium crushed oyster shells or crushed egg shells, bone meal

 

[mobius]

Right. Needs calcium, vitamin/etc mix, animal protein. Those dried split peas...why? Whole farm peas are much better. And so on. i was excited about my recipe too and I still think it was pretty good, and simple, and no corn or soy but in the end not worth it. I supplement the great feed I get with other things like fermented alfalfa or fodder or scrambled eggs...they free range and get veggie scraps...just saying....

 

[mobius]

I see your point. I'm going to start feeding them the feed in the morning in addition to at night, then after a few days I'll do 3 times a day etc. I don't want to just throw an all you can eat buffet with the feed when they are used to only having that before bed. I'm afraid they'll Gorg themselves and have problems. But I wanted to show you guys what I stumbled upon. Take a look if you would please! https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/best-chicken-feed-recipe-ever.108482/

Ok if you are not going to free feed then twice a day is adequate! Here is what i do: The organic feed is in a four gallon bucket with pvc elbows so chickens always have food no matter what. This is free feeding. And it is the dry feed.

In the morning I let them out into the yard and to free-range and I feed them the FF. They eat the FF all gone. In the evening they get fodder treat or scrambled eggs or fermented alfalfa treat so their crop are full before bed.

So if I am sick or cant get out to the coop, or god forbid am not feeding them enough, they have food no matter what. They wont gorge themselves or get fat on this approach. They are just fine and happy and healthy and chatty and friendly. They monitor their own intake.

If i fed a lot of carbs or scratch or other amazing potato chip kinds of food, yes, they might gorge on that. Scratch is just for the winter...and not a lot of it.

So if it is healthy IMHO they will not gorge and you dont need to feed three times a day. They will be fine!

 

[TexasSam]

I buy organic pellets that is available to them all the time.In the evening when I get home I mix oyster shell and meal worms. Sometimes I stop at the pet store and get 50 live crickets and toss A small handful out and watch them scramble for them. I can do that all day so fun. Sometimes I lightly blend up some kale or throw them some fresh lawn clippings. They always get the egg shells crushed up in their feed.

 

[FrankHomestead]

They get os free choice, so it's not in the recipe. Like I said they get fresh fruits and veggies too. The more I think about it, the happier I am that they are growing slower. Gives their bodies one time to get ready for egg making

 

[FrankHomestead]

Right. Needs calcium, vitamin/etc mix, animal protein. Those dried split peas...why? Whole farm peas are much better. And so on. i was excited about my recipe too and I still think it was pretty good, and simple, and no corn or soy but in the end not worth it. I supplement the great feed I get with other things like fermented alfalfa or fodder or scrambled eggs...they free range and get veggie scraps...just saying....

I have the organic split peas readily available. I will look for the whole ones!

 

[mobius]

They are known as field peas or canadian peas

 

[mobius]

I buy organic pellets that is available to them all the time.In the evening when I get home I mix oyster shell and meal worms. Sometimes I stop at the pet store and get 50 live crickets and toss A small handful out and watch them scramble for them. I can do that all day so fun. Sometimes I lightly blend up some kale or throw them some fresh lawn clippings. They always get the egg shells crushed up in their feed.

I like what you are doing and having fun too! Just wanted to say that eggshells and oyster shell should be made available separately from food or treats...so they can decide how much to eat and they will self-regulate...grit should fed separately too...don't need to mix these in! Too much calcium or to little can lead to problems later.