IA here

[pbjmaker]

In the spring and summer I make my chickens pay for their own feed by hatching and selling chicks. Works great. Not so much in the winter though.

My hubby found a receipt from the feed store for $72 the other day and calmly (for him) asked why the chickens were costing so much. Had to remind him that we have 5 dogs to feed too. Although most of that receipt was "chicken" and wild bird stuff. Thank goodness the feed store doesn't list what was sold - just prices.

Just spent another $74 today

This time the puppy helped pay for it.

 

[UlrikeDG]

Speaking of feed, what do you all use, and where do you get it? My closest feed store only stocks Purina, which I can't use, because I boycott Nestle. I haven't been to TSC or Shopper's Supply yet, as both are more of a drive. I'm in DSM at least twice a week. Ankeny & Grimes are close, but I rarely have any reason to go there.

ETA: Look what I just found on the Register website: Bonaparte man's chicken lays a whopper of an egg. The article is from last Saturday. Link: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/ar...2/Bonaparte-man-s-chicken-lays-whopper-an-egg

 

[pbjmaker]

I go to Des Moines Feed and Garden. I get Extra Egg - think it's made by Kent. It just went up to $14.50 per bag. They also carry another brand there. There is also a newer feed store on the southside It's called City and Country or Town and Country - something like that. It is pretty small and I think what they have might be purina - can't remember. It is where the old Payless Lumber used to be if you are familiar with that. East of S.E. 14th on Army Post Road. On the south side of the road.

 

[FlashPointFarm]

Do you have a grain elevator near you? You could probably get their house mix for cheap. I buy mine by the ton, which is a house mix, and my birds do really well on it. I also have them add DE to it ever other time I get my bin filled.

That article is really cute. My aunt clipped it out of the paper and mailed it to me.

Quote:

 

[karimw]

Quote:
I have 4 doz. to either hatch or pitch! This weather has been so chaotic that the hatches have not been normal and care is critical etc... The local farm store has chicks in now too.

I was in TSC yesterday and they had chicks, including 1 tub of chipmunk striped Ameraucanas

I supressed the urge to tell them they are NOT Ameraucanas - not a puffy cheek in the bunch!

I suprised myself actually, with a bator full at home I wasn't even tempted!

 

[UlrikeDG]

Quote:
This is Iowa. Doesn't EVERYONE have a grain elevator near them?

I don't have a pickup, though.

OK, now I'm really thinking about this. I'd like to do some meat chickens this year, but I'm not so sure about the cost. If buying by the half ton would really make a decent dent in the feed cost, I'm sure my dad would help me out with his truck, especially if there were a roaster or two in it for him. Is it bagged? How do you store it?

 

[sammileah]

I've been thinking of going this route too but at a loss as where I'd put that much grain. And is it really cheaper?

 

[mrandmrschicken]

was just reading the flyer from our local feed store... all feed is 40lb bags. They are selling chicks now too. All their stuff comes from Welp Hatchery. It's an hour from here as is McMurray. Both now drop ship their bantams and exotic stuff. I go to their source.

I have bought no chicks this year either.

Their store brand layer is 16% and it's on sale for 8.99. Cargill, Nature wise is 9.99/40lb. I think thats 16% too.
Starter grower, 9.99. and medicated is 10.49. All the other poultry supplies are on sale as well.

Local elevator sells their 18% layer for 10.49 a bag. their cracked corn is half the price of the store bags.
I'd like to get some of the Kent feeds and try it. I can get Purina in Spencer but it's spendy. When the birds are not laying, I buy the cheap stuff, cause thyey just waste so much of it. but when they start to lay, I feed them higher protein feeds and add oyster to it.

 

[shabbyfarm]

Here is the sale bill for the small animal sale in Osceola, March 20th.

is there a way to make it bigger??

 

[pbjmaker]

Quote:
I got the same flyer but gave it to my feed store guy today

He seemed interested