Is it better to make your own chicken feed?

[GardenGal]

Is there a big difference between mixing your own chicken feed and buying an organic mix? Thanks! Rebekah

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I make my own, and it can often be more expensive than buying premade feed. It depends of course on your ingredients.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=414722
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=32778

Here are a couple of threads. Also you can check my BYC page for my current recipe. Organics North mixes his own (on his BYC page).

 

[GardenGal]

Thanks for the links. My big question is, why do you make your own?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
To avoid soy, GMOs, and because they LOVE the variety.

It is also fun to mix in the garage in the morning, children asleep, peace and quiet!

 

[GardenGal]

Do you find soy and GMOs in organic food as well? I like that quality mixing time!

 

[GLBRWyans]

Howdy ,
Late last nite I ran across your feed mix . I would like to be able to do the because I have a variety of birds that would enjoy the different seeds . For my chickens and pigeons I buy chops and a pigeon pellet that is similar to a laying pellet . I cut the pellets with a little bit of chops per serving . For the pigeons I add popcorn , a green pea and a split pea as a treat . I pay $10 per 50# on both chops and pellets , the others I get at the grocery store . What is your biggest expense , shipping or a particular seed ,if I may ask ?

My wonderful wife , two mutts , 1 African Grey ,1 Blue Crested Conure , 1 Green Quaker , 1 yellow parakeet , 10 golden laced wyandottes , 1 RIR , 1 Barred Rock , 1 Silver Sebright , 12 Indian Fantail , 12 Modena , 4 solid white racing homer , 4 laced Satinette pigeons and 1 Brown Sexlink ......... whewwwwwwww lol

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
I buy everything at the feed store except the split peas, peanuts, and flax seeds (I buy them at a grocery store bulk bin section by the bag).

Here are my prices from several months ago because it lasts so long:
barley 24 cents/lb
oats .23
corn org. .40
millet .32
wheat .30
sun seeds .50 (oh wait this has gone up a little)
flax .69
pump. seeds 1.45
peanuts unsalted 1.32
split peas .46

 

[GLBRWyans]

Thank you for the information .

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
There is organic soy in the organic chick starter that I buy for the ones up to 6 weeks old. The organic layer pellets I buy on occasion (haven't bought any in awhile) have it too. They don't sell organic grower here.

Organic foods aren't allowed to have GMOs.

Sorry I missed your post earlier. I was just rereading the thread and came across it.