Is high quality feed worth the money?

[Brooks_]

I won't try to compare my flock with breeding silkies, but you'll have a hard time convincing me that Kamblach (or insert other) is that much better than Purina flock raiser at $16.99 locally or even at $20.99 on the TCS website. Yes, I do have to add oyster shell, but my environment is calcium rich....I can't calculate it. Maybe $6.99 a year?

 

[sarahconnor]

I pay $14 for a 50# bag which is likely fresher, and is much higher protein (24%). It is not full of buzz words and feel good ingredients. What it is full of is grains, legumes, nuts/seeds, and a few other things which, when combined and crushed into crumbles, makes a nutritionally complete feed for my birds. Its so high protein, in fact, i thin it out with an $11 bag of "layer" feed from the same mill, and an end product at 20% protein. Makes for a feed that's ultimately higher in calcium than is good for my Roos (about 2.3-2.5%), but most won't make it past 20 weeks, and none make it past 20 months. That's a risk I will take at $0.25/lb with my flock.

When you say your Roos won’t make it last 20 weeks is that because of the feed you give them? I missed something there. I feed my crew layer pellets (from southern states) and all are well including the Roos.

 

[Maureen in Chesterton]

Yes if care for your pets you give them the best food you can afford. I breed some of cutest little fluffy silkies. Poor diet in hens can lead to birth defects and poor diet in chicks can lead to other problems. I have many return customers that drive 3 hrs one way to get my silkies because they know they will get healthy good Quality chicks. Sure would like try some of money saving ticks like making my own feed but if I get it wrong my chickens will suffer from mistakes. I know the feed I buy has all they need.

Sounds to me that your more important question is whether you're charging an appropriate price for your silkies. Given the care you take, and the pride you have in the quality of birds, and what others are charging for theirs - your price should be based on the quality of what you're selling, not simply what your costs are.

 

[NatJ]

When you say your Roos won’t make it last 20 weeks is that because of the feed you give them? I missed something there. I feed my crew layer pellets (from southern states) and all are well including the Roos.

@U_Stormcrow butchers most of the males by 20 weeks of age. At that age, they are not showing any ill effects from the feed used.

 

[3KillerBs]

When you say your Roos won’t make it last 20 weeks is that because of the feed you give them?

Because he eats most of them by that age.

 

[rkadish]

I have noticed a significant drop in egg production and quality when switching to a cheaper high volume feed. Also the difference be 16% and 20% feed is noticeable in egg production and quality for not a big price difference.

 

[rkadish]

I pay $14 for a 50# bag which is likely fresher, and is much higher protein (24%). It is not full of buzz words and feel good ingredients. What it is full of is grains, legumes, nuts/seeds, and a few other things which, when combined and crushed into crumbles, makes a nutritionally complete feed for my birds. Its so high protein, in fact, i thin it out with an $11 bag of "layer" feed from the same mill, and an end product at 20% protein. Makes for a feed that's ultimately higher in calcium than is good for my Roos (about 2.3-2.5%), but most won't make it past 20 weeks, and none make it past 20 months. That's a risk I will take at $0.25/lb with my flock.

What brand is the 24% you use?

 

[Caro2]

Hi. I am really glad of this discussion. I always used premium pelles but the birds weren't that excited. I started using budget laying pellets because they have grain protein instead of animal protein. I have been able to convince my malnourished vegan friends my eggs are ok. No animals harmed (except insects and worms) and the roosters I charge top dollar for so they are less likely to end up in the pot (not that there is anything wrong with that). So 'vegan eggs', organic, free range gives me offers of twice the normal price. I think a handful of wheat per chook makes a big difference to the laying. I am a bit of a convert to the budget pellets and my vegan friends have slightly more colour in their cheeks.

 

[Silkie Princess]

I'm at a cross road I'm either going to have to raise the pice on my bearded silkies or start buying cheaper food I sell them for $5 but i see plenty of people selling for $10 my silkies are good Quality. I feed all my chickens Kalmbach feed.

What?!? Only $5?! I sell cockrells for $10!

 

[3KillerBs]

What?!? Only $5?! I sell cockrells for $10!

I'm selling blue cockerels for $10 and POL pullets for $15.

I know I don't make a profit, but I do offset some of the costs.

(Unsold boys not chosen as flock roosters will be eaten).