How to feed my chickens on a budget? Issues with roosters?

[Kazzandra]

I feel blessed reading this, as I'm going through 120 pounds of feed (50 all purpose, 50 laying pellets, 20 scratch) about every 5-6 weeks, for 23 chickens, which is apparently far less than most people. They do free range in the backyard during good weather during the days. Very interesting. I also have 5-- maybe 6 roosters now, and couldn't care for one less.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Makes me crazy they can even call that "starter" with only 18% protein. Same with the Manna Pro one they sell at Wally.

Proof that organic and terms like "starter" aren't all they're cracked up to be.... Reading the label and understanding what YOU are looking for is key.

Protein cost more to produce. That's why layer feed appears cheaper than others because oyster shell which makes up about 3% more in layer feed is a cheaper ingredient.

And no, I haven't seen the OP around... hopefully they will look into and try some of our suggestions as we are all passionate about our flock and even helping others enjoy theirs'.

Purina, Nutrena & many others sell only 18% starter, so what's your point? It is a pet peeve of mine that I cannot easily find 20% starter even in a conventional brand. Most starter/growers that I see are only 18%. It's not an "organic" thing.

 

[Folly's place]

That's why I'm feeding Flock Raiser!
Mary

 

[ellend]

There are excellent tutorials on the internet on raising black soldier flies, and mealworms. I knew a woman who raised mealworms in relatively shallow bins, stacked, and raise a LOT of them, for hedgehogs. They were in her (clean) basement. Excellent protein. Raised on bran?

 

[333113]

In my area (zone 5, Missouri) once you have mealworms (adults are little black beetles) and the much larger soldier fly larva (adults look like small black wasps but no biting or stinging), they come back every year. The worms eat any waste feed, etc, that's in the mud. This year I have lots of mud, so I have lots of mealworms.

Chickens and ducks love moving food just as much as I don't!

It's a natural way to convert waste to protein for the birds, and once I get them started in a cage, no more work for me. However, I do recognize it's not for everyone.

There are excellent tutorials on the internet on raising black soldier flies, and mealworms. I knew a woman who raised mealworms in relatively shallow bins, stacked, and raise a LOT of them, for hedgehogs. They were in her (clean) basement. Excellent protein. Raised on bran?

 

[Ladies-Eight]

I have only been doing this for two years this month. I feel like I'm still new at doing this. As I read through this thread I noticed some using abbreviations. I did not know what it meant. The three letters used were AVC.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

I have only been doing this for two years this month. I feel like I'm still new at doing this. As I read through this thread I noticed some using abbreviations. I did not know what it meant. The three letters used were AVC.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

I have only been doing this for two years this month. I feel like I'm still new at doing this. As I read through this thread I noticed some using abbreviations. I did not know what it meant. The three letters used were AVC.

 

[Shezadandy]

I have only been doing this for two years this month. I feel like I'm still new at doing this. As I read through this thread I noticed some using abbreviations. I did not know what it meant. The three letters used were AVC.

I think it's supposed to be ACV = Apple Cider Vinegar.

 

[bigz1983]

I now have 23 chickens..13 being chicks(10 weeks old)...5 being roosters...the rest are hens...Up until now I've been getting cracked corn feed/laying mash for the adult chickens..chick starter for the babies...however recently I was told that since the roosters eat with the hens(I keep their food in a no-waste feeder..even though they still scratch it out onto the ground)...that the roosters would eventually have health issues because they would be eating the laying mash as well. I tend to mix my laying mash and corn equally...So i thought about just taking layer out all together but was then told that the corn feed wasn't good for them. So I'm not sure what to do now..i started off spending 20 dollars per month on food for 3-10 chickens...now I'm going at about 60 dollars a month for the food...300 lbs of food a month...with the new food that I've been told i should buy them its going to be double the price..I just can't really afford 120 dollars per month for 300 lbs of food for the chickens...I give them things like grass..watermelon etc Any help?

I made this no waste feeder from 2 plastic oil pans from the dollar store.
We have 19 chickens and don't use 300 pounds of feed a month.
If your using 300 pounds of feed a month for 23 chickens something is definitely wrong.
There's some waste going on or something..