How much feed do YOU go through in a month?

[ShannonsChimkens]

No clue. The turkeys just hatched, so I’ll find out. But I’ve purchased quite a few bags of a couple different kinds of Scratch and Peck for the chickens. All run about $33. Maybe it’s because I’m close to the main distributor? I just looked online, they charge a fortune! I get mine at their retailers which is the only way to get 40# bag.

 

[birdsrfun]

No clue. The turkeys just hatched, so I’ll find out. But I’ve purchased quite a few bags of a couple different kinds of Scratch and Peck for the chickens. All run about $33. Maybe it’s because I’m close to the main distributor? I just looked online, they charge a fortune! I get mine at their retailers which is the only way to get 40# bag.

Add on to that, I’m in the Bay Area. Prices are crazy. We pay $35 for a 50 lb. bag of Modesto Milling organic feed. We have 3 hens and go through a 50 lb. bag a month. Scratch and Peck is too expensive for us.

 

[iwltfum]

I go through 25lbs a day in the winter. 50+lbs in the summer with the meaties included. I get it by the pallet (40bags) delivered to the grocery store in my town and I pick it up from them. Cost is about 400 a month..in the winter and double in the summer - we use organic feed, milled in vermont. I still tell people, "Yeah, we raise a few chickens"

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

Ok, now I don’t feel so bad lol

I like your idea of getting large amounts shipped in. I feel like I’m at the feed store every few days. Or at least that’s what the employees say. “Weren’t you just here?”

Never went to get turkey feed, but tomorrow I’ll have to stop so hopefully I can take a look at the prices of Scratch & Peck. Make sure I’m not crazy ... there’s a good chance I could be.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

Holy crap I remembered! I don’t remember squat, ever. But here you go. This isn’t exactly what I buy, but 40# bag of 16% layer feed. I normally stick with 18%. The turkey grower was actually a little more. $34 but was a 40# bag as well.

I really like the Natures Best organic grower 18% though. $33 a bag and everyone does very well on it. Chicks, adults, guineas, ducklings and emus sneak some from time to time. Maybe I should just be ok with spending $300+ a month on feed.

Ultimate goal was 30 laying hens, 2 dozen a dayish. We go through 1 dozen a day ourselves, sell the other to coworkers. Make up to purchase a bag of feed per week.

 

[Freeloading slacker]

I’m curious what others are going through in feed in a month. If you don’t buy feed and mix your own, what is it and how much does it cost for a month of feed?

New’er’ to poultry, but have been raw feeding dogs for years. I prefer to know every little bit that’s going into my dogs stomach. Chimkens are the same. I NEED to know what’s in their feed, as I’m eating their eggs and possibly their meat.

Currently still feeding organic grower, but add in organic flock raiser from Scratch and Peck to give them some excitement in their lives. I normally toss that on the ground so they can scratch and peck free choice oyster and grit next to the waterer in plastic containers. Found some up and coming layers helping themselves.

The purpose of this thread is to see what others are using and what it’s costing them. I’m sticking with organic, but might try some organic alternatives to keep cost down. I purchase 2 to 3 $30 bags per week No one needs to know I spend that much on feed!

4 layers
6 up and coming layers in the next couple weeks
1 large older rooster
4 cockerels about 6 months old (gave away a bunch of cockerels due to noise and feed)
25ish cockerels and pullets about 11 weeks old - giving away cockerels atm
17 chicks about 5 weeks old
4 Pekin ducklings - 5 weeks old
4 Guinea

The raw feeding for 4 dogs is usually anywhere from $400 to $500 per month. So we’re used to spending a pretty penny on specific foods, but want to cut down/back where possible on chicken feed.

Any ideas or personal choices appreciated! Unfortunately, can’t budge on organic, but can try organic alternatives.

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11 weekers sun bathing
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The youngins - holy cow can they eat
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Wow that's a lot to spend on dog food, what are you even feeding them?

We spent $15 on one 50 lb bag of chicken feed to feed 10 chickens.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

Premade frozen raw NW Naturals 25# box per week runs $110. Then added “filler”. Chicken drum sticks and thighs, ground beef & turkey, organs, venison, etc. that’s about $40 per week at the store. It adds up quick.

2 yr old Italian mastiff, 1 1/2 yr old Argentinian mastiff, a 14 year old lab/pit mix and a miniature dachshund. The two young mastiffs part sums it up.

 

[Feath3rDust3r]

I found that I had a big mouse problem...took care of it and my feed bill is down by not quite a 1/4!!! Also, adding grit to the coop can help feed efficiency.

I also like to ferment the food to cut down on costs. My local feed store gave me the directions. I can't do it here in the winter because it freezes into a solid lump before they can eat it, but during the warm weather it's a really efficient way to feed.

 

[gtaus]

No clue. The turkeys just hatched, so I’ll find out. But I’ve purchased quite a few bags of a couple different kinds of Scratch and Peck for the chickens. All run about $33. Maybe it’s because I’m close to the main distributor? I just looked online, they charge a fortune! I get mine at their retailers which is the only way to get 40# bag.

I guess I'm lucky. Chicken scratch is $9.75 per 50 pound bag where I live. I don't buy "organic" feed, but I know it is a lot more expensive.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

I found that I had a big mouse problem...took care of it and my feed bill is down by not quite a 1/4!!! Also, adding grit to the coop can help feed efficiency.

I also like to ferment the food to cut down on costs. My local feed store gave me the directions. I can't do it here in the winter because it freezes into a solid lump before they can eat it, but during the warm weather it's a really efficient way to feed.

Ferment feed I must look into this! Thanks for the tip.

They have grit in a container, does putting it down for them help them consume more? About half of the birds I’ve seen eating it from the dish. They do have access to rocks and dirt as well.

Saving on a 1/4 is a lot! I found three rats helping themselves. Putting their feed up at night in the food bin and the miniature dachshund took care of that problem

My other half was adamant that if were going to eat the eggs and birds, they have to be eating organic feed. We try to consume only organic and working on growing our own food. But it’s so damn expensive! Hence the reason behind this post.