Is there a cheaper way?

[Michele S]

We stay in Traverse City, but we are full-up with kids for any extras. My husband wants to move back but I'm a desert rat and won't go for it.

 

[SteveH]

Quote:
Potatoes are only 2% protein , compared to corn at 9% , but if you can find an economical protein [ like a worm farm ] to make up the difference you could feed potatoes

. Gotta remember though , that bag of potatoes is a high percentage of water . Actually , we've raised both cattle and hogs on reject potatoes ; chickens only got potato peelings from our kitchen [ which aren't poisonous to them unless they're green regardless what you read ]

 

[EGGTASKTIC]

Rent a u-haul and bring feed back to the desert

 

[jaku]

Quote:
Yeah- I pay about $8/bag. DON'T buy prebagged feed. Have it ground for you at the mill. You have to buy it in larger amounts, (500 pounds minimum at my mill,) but it's well worth it.

 

[Michele S]

Quote:
Yeah- I pay about $8/bag. DON'T buy prebagged feed. Have it ground for you at the mill. You have to buy it in larger amounts, (500 pounds minimum at my mill,) but it's well worth it.

The closest mill is 367 miles away in Utah.

I did email IFA and they said I could get their broiler finisher in a 1500 pound tote bag. I can't imagine where I would store it, how I would get it home, or how I would get it out of my husband's truck, which I would surely have to steal if he knew I was scheming such absurdity. Would it come on a pallet? Would I have to rent a forklift?

I only weigh a 125 pounds, so I can BARELY carry a 50 pound bag. It doesn't seem that I would be able to pull this off on my own and I should point out that my husband was completely NOT on board with this whole chicken thing.

Then, of course, I would have to hurry up and order more chickens to eat it because you guys say these chickens don't like the heat and it is hotter than hell here in two months, so I don't think there is any way to grow them when it is a 115 degrees out.

 

[jaku]

Are you sure? All farmers are either driving that far or buying feed in 50 pound bags? Maybe I'm just naive living where I do?? 1500 pounds actually isn't that much, as long as it's broken down into smaller bags. I'm not sure what this "tote bag" you speak of is, but as for where to put it, it won't require much space.

 

[CARS]

Quote:
Most of the seed sold to farmers around here is in a bulk tote. It's the same size as a pallet (so yes Michele, a forklift is needed) and about 4' high. Most are a tubular frame (cage) with a canvas bag inside to hold the seed/feed/sugar/etc.

This site sells the unloading system: http://www.crustbuster.com/grain/bulktender.asp

It looks like these totes are plastic but you get the idea.