Is this a good feed?

[rewild]

I went to a chicken swap today and there was a farmer selling his own house blends of chicken feed. I’m interested in that because I don’t like the byproducts in commercial chicken feed, so I took his card. Is this a good feed? Here’s the link to the one I’m considering. I went for the one without corn because I always thought corn wasn’t good for chickens. Maybe I’m wrong though. Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Aapomp831]

I went to a chicken swap today and there was a farmer selling his own house blends of chicken feed. I’m interested in that because I don’t like the byproducts in commercial chicken feed, so I took his card. Is this a good feed? Here’s the link to the one I’m considering. I went for the one without corn because I always thought corn wasn’t good for chickens. Maybe I’m wrong though. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Waaaay too high in carbs and fat and DE is pointless. The fact that he had it in his feed leads me to believe he had some pretty old school views... but I would stick to a more commercial feed that focuses on protein. Seeds and corn should be an occasional treat... and oyster shell should be offered on the side. This is just my opinion.

 

[Cindy in PA]

The fat looks fine to me. I prefer a feed with 3-4%fat over most commercial feed with 2.5%. If he is adding the required mineral & calcium supplement, I doubt the feed will look like pictured. There will be the seeds & the added minerals will be powdery. I have successfully fed this type of feed, but it takes extra measures to get the birds to eat the powder. The only reason I would not feed it is because it is only 16% protein. I like to feed 18-20% layer feed, YMMV

 

[rewild]

Waaaay too high in carbs and fat and DE is pointless. The fact that he had it in his feed leads me to believe he had some pretty old school views... but I would stick to a more commercial feed that focuses on protein. Seeds and corn should be an occasional treat... and oyster shell should be offered on the side. This is just my opinion.

What should the carbs and fat be? And I’ve read that DE is “inconclusive” in studies as to its use in controlling internal parasites. Some studies say it helps, some say it does nothing. I appreciate your input. Thank you!

 

[rewild]

The fat looks fine to me. I prefer a feed with 3-4%fat over most commercial feed with 2.5%. If he is adding the required mineral & calcium supplement, I doubt the feed will look like pictured. There will be the seeds & the added minerals will be powdery. I have successfully fed this type of feed, but it takes extra measures to get the birds to eat the powder. The only reason I would not feed it is because it is only 16% protein. I like to feed 18-20% layer feed, YMMV

How do you get the birds to eat the powder?

 

[Aapomp831]

What should the carbs and fat be? And I’ve read that DE is “inconclusive” in studies as to its use in controlling internal parasites. Some studies say it helps, some say it does nothing. I appreciate your input. Thank you!

To be totally honest, I’m not entirely sure of the exact ratios. We feed All Flock because I find the extra protein to be beneficial all year long; especially in the harsher months. And DE has pretty much been debunked by science; it loses it efficacy when wet so being swallowed isn’t going to do too much....

 

[kerbotx]

Those percentages seem fine, it's probably comparable to feeds by Scratch & Peck. Check through the forums here, I know folks have made suggestions about getting them to eat the fines - probably by wetting it or fermenting it. I would bet that the DE is more to control pests IN the feed rather than benefit the chickens in any way.

 

[Cecisflock]

ng his own house blends of chicken feed. I’m interested in that because I don’t like the byproducts in commercial chicken feed,

what kind of byproducts are you talking about?

 

[rewild]

what kind of byproducts are you talking about?

For instance, in the Dumor chicken feed, there’s wheat middlings and corn distillers dried grain, both of which are considered byproducts. It’s a good enough food and I’ve fed it for years with no problem but I’d like to switch to something with more whole ingredients. I know byproducts aren’t evil and aren’t *necessarily* harmful but again, I’d just prefer to feed a more whole foods diet. And I definitely want to avoid animal byproducts. Im also looking into a food from our local farmers co-op along side this food.

 

[rewild]

Those percentages seem fine, it's probably comparable to feeds by Scratch & Peck. Check through the forums here, I know folks have made suggestions about getting them to eat the fines - probably by wetting it or fermenting it. I would bet that the DE is more to control pests IN the feed rather than benefit the chickens in any way.

That makes sense. Hopefully there aren’t too many pests in the feed lol.