Is there a cheaper way?

[CARS]

Quote:
That sounds like a good idea to try. Go to the BYC Wanted section and post for people willing to share an order. You might want to try Craig's list too.

 

[petrelline]

Feed is expensive in the west, alas. Even if you go straight to the mill, we're not going to get the really great prices that people who are right next to the grain fields are getting. Our mills have to actually truck in the grains, and so we pay extra for the gas.

The cheapest feed in bags I have found is actually at tractor supply. But I have to drive for an hour to get to the closest TSC, so I'm actually paying for the gas as gas as opposed to paying for it in the feed.

 

[Southerngirl]

You need to switch to a starter/grower ( broiler feed). Flockraiser is meant for chickens or other poultry that will have a long life

I pay around $10-11 for a 50 pound bag. After 4-5 weeks I then mix it with 1/2 grower and 1/2 chopped corn for their feed.

 

[Bossroo]

Is it worth it in doallars only to raise my own chickens ? Do the math and compare costs only NOT for anything like taste, self satisfaction or thouchy feely or self sufficiency. Just hard cost of feed only. Last fall I got the chicken feed from a mill in Cental Cal for $12.50 for a 22% protein 50 lb bag. and that is cheap compared to feed stores at $14.95 a bag. x 11 bags for 25 chickens= $137.50 (120 pounds of meat)divide by 25 chickens = $5.50 each bird averaging 4.8 pounds = $1.14 per pound in feed costs alone per chicken and NOT counting anything for overhead or fuel or even my labor for 6 weeks. Last Saturday we baught 36.78 pounds of already processed chicken (8 chickens ave 4.6 lbs. each x $0.47 per pound = $2.162 each) from a chain grocery store at $0.47 a pound ( $17.28 total.) So, $5.50 minus $2.16= $ 3.34 as my savings per bird. If one pays $10 per chicken as was suggested as a fair price x 8 chickens = $80.00 , minus my cost of $17.28 = $62.72 that in this case, I saved by not raising my own 8 chickens. They taste like a mighty fine chicken too.

 

[CARS]

Quote:
You live in Central CA right? (I think I picked that out of the figures) Do you know of any place to the East of you that may have cheaper feed than what the OP is paying right now???

 

[En Plein Air Farms]

as you getting your feed from the IFA country store on Martin?
Have you checked prices on the other type of mixes recommended?

We pay $11.00 for 50 pound bags of 16% layer mash here. No corn fields in sight

edited to add, I cut the feed needed in half by letting them free range in the day. I inherited these from my FIL who never let them out for bugs and greens.

 

[Deanner03]

We allowed ours to free range a lot of the time. Cut down on costs SIGNIFICANTLY. It's a thought!

 

[Bossroo]

Quote:
You live in Central CA right? (I think I picked that out of the figures) Do you know of any place to the East of you that may have cheaper feed than what the OP is paying right now???

NOPE... just 10 miles east of us is going up the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the feed costs jump significally with the rise in elevation . Same thing with the desert locations. The dryer the location the more costs in transportation. As for free ranging, well that is TOTALLY out of the question due to numerous furry and feather type predators not to mention that there is NO green grass for 6-8 months of the year so too there are minimal edible bugs other than agricultural pest varieties that can only be controlled by chemical warfare.

 

[Michele S]

Quote:
Yes, I switched to IFA on Martin and it is only $17. Jones feed store was $20.

I tried to let them free range and I had hawks circling them, then they are so dumb they threw themselves into tumbleweeds and got their wings stuck. Then they got huge giant prickers on them and in their feet, or whatever you call those. It was a disaster. So what feed is only $11? Can you grow meat chickens with it? I thought meat chickens needed more protein?

 

[chicklips]

Where in Mi are you going during the summer? The mill in Ovid sells 100lbs for $17. Might be able to pick some up while your here.