How much feed to order? And "finishing on scratch" -- what about it?

[TimG]

Quote:
I'm curious about how this works. I understand it is routine in many parts of the country, but I don't know of any feed mill around these parts (Southern Maine).

What does this feed cost? What does bagged feed from a supply store cost in your area? How is the mill feed transported and stored?

Thanks.

 

[exsia]

Also, I've read here and there about "finishing on scratch." Thoughts on this? What is the advantage? How long do you feed the scratch?

I usually feed my standard birds (RIR, BR, etc) scratch a month before processing. My customers prefer the stringy texture and flavor that comes from feeding the birds grain. Feeding only scratch seems to slow down the rate of growth a little, but scratch is cheaper then commercial feed. It depends what you're looking to do. I feed only commerical feed to my rangers because I need to get them to their maxium weight asap. But my standard chicken customers want a mature (aka stewpot) bird, so I finish with scratch to help with the feed bill. Hope any of this info helps!

 

[willheveland]

Quote:
I'm curious about how this works. I understand it is routine in many parts of the country, but I don't know of any feed mill around these parts (Southern Maine).

What does this feed cost? What does bagged feed from a supply store cost in your area? How is the mill feed transported and stored?

Thanks.

Feed mills usually buy some material(corn,wheat,rye,oats) from the local farmers in your area,they store it, dry it,mix with other ingredients(trace minerals) to make different feeds.They are almost always right next to RR tracks to haul in what they can't buy local.You'll see huge silos they store the feed in. As they need it they'll mix a few batches at a time and bag it like stocking their store. I love those old mills. You can buy Purina,Blue Seal, Nutrena in the paper (dog food) bags for like $14. for 50 lbs. Then go to your local mill and get a bag of mash for like $7-8. for 50 lbs. mixed. They can help you get different %'s by adding different products depending on what you want.Or even give you a custom mix if you want their min. They are like farms though,getting fewer and fewer. I hope mine never leaves. The big dogs would love to see it though. Will

 

[willheveland]

Quote:
I usually feed my standard birds (RIR, BR, etc) scratch a month before processing. My customers prefer the stringy texture and flavor that comes from feeding the birds grain. Feeding only scratch seems to slow down the rate of growth a little, but scratch is cheaper then commercial feed. It depends what you're looking to do. I feed only commerical feed to my rangers because I need to get them to their maxium weight asap. But my standard chicken customers want a mature (aka stewpot) bird, so I finish with scratch to help with the feed bill. Hope any of this info helps!

I don't do it. I feed grower mash start to finish.The mash is already pretty heavy in corn as it is.I think changing their diets could actually hurt the growth more than you want.But I only raise Cornish for meat (not dual purpose).Where I live scratch costs more than milled grower mash.
Usually the stringy texture and different flavor comes because of an older bird.(age not feed) JMHO Will

 

[jamieneenah]

Quote:
I usually feed my standard birds (RIR, BR, etc) scratch a month before processing. My customers prefer the stringy texture and flavor that comes from feeding the birds grain. Feeding only scratch seems to slow down the

What else could you feed them other than grains that would make the meat have a different texture?

Jamie

 

[brandywine]

The mash from the feed mill is about 30% - 35% cheaper than bagged feed with the half-ton pre-order. I went in and had the mill's formula guy -- who has some sort of ag degree in animal nutrition -- go over different options. For example, I'm adamant about no medication, but not worried about some animal protein. We decided on a 20% protein ration. Maybe next time I'll go higher, or use a different mineral mix.

I went out and picked it up with my lil' flatbed trailer, because I don't have a pickup truck. But 20 50# bags would have fit into my mini SUV if I'd emptied it out first.

The big problem I've found with the feed mill mash is that it won't feed down properly! It clogged the feeder (conventional plastic hanging feeder) and the chicks were in a snit when I discovered it. I had to make an improvised trough for them today. Although the guy said he'd try to grind it coarse so it would gravity feed properly, it's too fine and dense to do so.

They do like it though.

BTW, I have to drive about 35 minutes to this mill. There used to be a mill in our town, five minutes away -- before we moved here. I'd come up here to buy pet food from them. It's been sitting empty for five years, beautiful old building in the middle of town. Breaks my heart. The building would make a fine brewery.