homemade feed

[killer]

feed i mixed sat june 27

1 part corn meal from a water mill(old school corn meal)
1 part cracked corn
4 parts wheat
2 parts oats
2 parts soy bean meal


i figured it should be about 16.6 in protein. any gurus out there can help?

 

[Judy]

http://www.lionsgrip.com/topics.html

 

[sjh]

You need a vitamin and mineral package.

 

[bettisworth]

Just my 2 cents....

A few years ago, I found an old yard bug zapper at a garage sale. The light bulb went on ( in my headLOL). I hung the bug zapper in the coop. It wasnt long and the chickens had a new routine. Before I turned them out in the morning, I would bang on the zapper, and the remaing dead bugs would fall to the ground. Then I would turn the birds loose, and they would fight over who got to the pile first. I know that this wont do much good in winter.
And bugs are extremely high in protein, from the way they smell when cooking in the zapper....I think that's all they are is pure protein.

I would recommend locating some square bales of alfalfa or clover hay. The protein content is high in quality hay. They will still lay orange eggs, and the hay should offer many of the vitamins and minerals needed. Alfalfa and clover is the best fodder. They put down a very extensive root system, documented at hundreds of feet. I'm not saying that a vitamin and mineral additive is not a good idea, just sometimes it is not an economical option.

Just an idea on economical and natural nutrition. I like it because I dont have to worry about overdosing them!

You can also buy alfalfa cubes at the feed store, and maybe grind them in with your ration.

 

[killer]

we let them out side to play in the grass and free range the woods.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
Agreed. And it needs to balance out the exact blend of grains you have.

Feed design is like standing on a seesaw on one leg with a rollerscate on your foot. Let the feed designers do the work for you for 90% of the feed. Then use the last 10% or less to add conditioning ingredients.

I took a course on feed design at a research facility and attend seminars on poultry nutrition, and I still think it wise to stick to the bulk of the food being a 'complete' ration. There are so many mineral and vitamin interrelationships that it'll boggle the brain.

Feeds are designed with the vitamin mineral package that directly relates to the vitamins/minerals in the grains, etc, used to make the feed. If you really want to stick to whole ingredients, talk to your local extension guy on hooking you up with someone who will design a food for your flock.

You may be trying to save money, but you will end up spending a lot in the end.

 

[threehorses]

Incidentally, the combination you have is very phosphorus heavy, and lacking vitamin D. You will have calcium issues. Feeding corn meal isn't penny wise as the added air to surface ration incourages not only vitamin degradation but also dust and possible mildew issues as well.

Why don't you add something like this (minus the soy, minus the meal) as a conditioning ratio instead, as your 10%?

What are you looking for? Economy? Whole ingredients? Body condition?

 

[maizie]

A couple of times a week I make a huge pot of rice and chicken livers.
I cook the livers down to a mush and then add rice and enough water for the rice.
This is a treat for my dogs and the chickens try to eat it also. They go crazy for it.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Quote:
I am hanging up the bug zapper tonight!!! This never crossed my mind and I think it is a neat idea! Thanks!

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
Lol! I bet that's quite the sight!