Is high quality feed worth the money?

[Rangergord]

You ferment alfalfa pellets? I never thought of that. I ferment their 20% starter.
feed.

IMHO I think the name brand aren't any better that store brand stuff. They have to pay for commercials somehow.

Yes I ferment the alfalfa pellets so they break up and mix with the grain. The chickens avoid eating them otherwise. They add protein but should not be more than 5 to 10 percent of the ration due to high fibre content. My biggest reason for including them is to provide green vegetation in their winter diet.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Quality feed is more about ingredients than price. I save a lot of money by sprouting whole grains, growing fodder, and growing soldier fly and mealworms, as well as letting my birds free range. I buy commercial meat bird feed from Nutrena (22% protein, it's high but since they eat a lot of other stuff that number is mostly a target for my quail) and keep the feeders stocked and provide oyster shell free choice. I spend about $45 a month to feed 4 silkies, 8 standard hens, and about 50 quail. It takes more work, but I guess I pay with my time instead of money.

That is a great way to look at it!