How to cut the cost of feeding chickens?

[Sally PB]

Well, 60 chickens are a lot to feed. What are your goals with that many chickens? Can you sell eggs or meat or POL birds or chicks to offset the cost?

I like the four "F"s that Red-Stars listed. I added a different one this last summer: Free Food in the form of bugs. (I don't free range.) Could I gather enough Japanese Beetles to feed 60 chickens, though? Nope.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I like the four "F"s that Red-Stars listed. I added a different one this last summer: Free Food in the form of bugs. (I don't free range.) Could I gather enough Japanese Beetles to feed 60 chickens, though? Nope.

@Sally PB - it’d be funny to watch you TRY to catch that many bugs!

But it’s a good point. Not all “free range” is the same. A few well-placed half-rotted logs in the run can really up the snacks...turn over the logs every few weeks to uncover a bug smorgasbord!

 

[K0k0shka]

@Sally PB - it’d be funny to watch you TRY to catch that many bugs!

But it’s a good point. Not all “free range” is the same. A few well-placed half-rotted logs in the run can really up the snacks...turn over the logs every few weeks to uncover a bug smorgasbord!

Depends on the chickens though... I tried this with mine. They just said WTF and walked away... back to the feeder...

 

[MykaMom]

Beyond going to non-organic feed, I think it’s all about the “F’s”:

• Free range
• Fermented Feed
• Fodder
• Food Waste

Waste was why I switched to pellets over crumble. It's half dust.

 

[MykaMom]

@Sally PB - it’d be funny to watch you TRY to catch that many bugs!

But it’s a good point. Not all “free range” is the same. A few well-placed half-rotted logs in the run can really up the snacks...turn over the logs every few weeks to uncover a bug smorgasbord!

Doesn't take weeks, try a few days if the logs are already decomposing!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I have never done research of my own to support this claim but here goes:

My neighbor is a professor at a big agricultural university. He specializes in developing feeds for commercial facilities. He told me most grains grown for organic feeds are grown overseas and shipped to the states. This means the grains are often older, and have a much larger environmental footprint.

I used to feed organic too. I noticed sometimes the feed I used smelled funky and not a sweet-smelling grain smell that I am used too. I was also unhappy with the cost. After the neighbor told me about organic feeds, I stopped feeding them organic and switched to buying whatever non-organic feed is available with the most recent mill-by date. So the price I pay fluctuates between $12-$20 per 50 lb bag, but I feel I'm giving my girls the best feed for the least impact to my wallet and the environment. Besides, I couldn't justify charging people $4 for "organic" eggs when their primary desire was simply to have eggs from local chickens.

 

[K0k0shka]

I have never done research of my own to support this claim but here goes:

My neighbor is a professor at a big agricultural university. He specializes in developing feeds for commercial facilities. He told me most grains grown for organic feeds are grown overseas and shipped to the states. This means the grains are often older, and have a much larger environmental footprint.

I used to feed organic too. I noticed sometimes the feed I used smelled funky and not a sweet-smelling grain smell that I am used too. I was also unhappy with the cost. After the neighbor told me about organic feeds, I stopped feeding them organic and switched to buying whatever non-organic feed is available with the most recent mill-by date. So the price I pay fluctuates between $12-$20 per 50 lb bag, but I feel I'm giving my girls the best feed for the least impact to my wallet and the environment. Besides, I couldn't justify charging people $4 for "organic" eggs when their primary desire was simply to have eggs from local chickens.

The whole idea of "organic" has been corrupted for financial gain like everything else. Right now it's a fancy label that a growing number of consumers want, so the industry wants to capitalize on that and make a bigger buck. Hence the shipping from overseas. The original idea of reduced environmental impact has been long lost. Right now the organic label is merely a money-making machine. Don't buy into it.

 

[ackie]

Waste was why I switched to pellets over crumble. It's half dust.

I suspect this is part of why people ferment too, using up the dust

 

[ackie]

@Sally PB - it’d be funny to watch you TRY to catch that many bugs!

But it’s a good point. Not all “free range” is the same. A few well-placed half-rotted logs in the run can really up the snacks...turn over the logs every few weeks to uncover a bug smorgasbord!

I tried to do this but I'm too lazy and just let them free range instead.

 

[Weeg]

Rather than organic, I focus on 'natural' when it comes to labels. Chicken feed is technically not natural: i feed non-medicated layer pellets. I buy it at Walmart. If they're out, it's a farm supply store.

I agree. I like to keep my chickens on a heathy diet that isn't super processed or anything. But don't worry to much abbot Organic, do Natural. Scratch and Peck is natural, and it is seeded so you can see what is in it. I like Purina too, a complete balanced diet that isn't full of preservatives!