Is this feed mix okay for reproducing flock?

[SamanthaBrooke]

Hi there, I can mix up some feed and want to know which is better or your opinions.

Here is the first mix I thought of this is 14%: Popcorn, Canada Peas, Whole Wheat, Austrian Peas, Red Milo, White Kafir, Oat Groats, Vetch, Buckwheat.


And the second one is and it is 17%: Popcorn, Canada Peas, Maple Peas, Safflower, Austrian Peas, White Kafir, Red Milo, Whole Wheat, Vetch.


Thank you, I want your honest to god opinion here.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I am in the process of purchasing some Austrian peas myself. I found out that it is going to be the same cost as black oil sunflower seeds (70 cents a lb) whereas I can buy split peas at the grocery store bulk bins for 40 cents a pound. Argh.

You might want to include a few black oil sunflower seeds for methionine, but I don't know if the safflower has methionine or not (peas are low in methionine).

If the popcorn is white corn, you are missing some good vitamin A that is found in yellow corn (milo is low in vitamin A too but is similar to corn).

Buckwheat pros and cons:

http://www.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/Feed_ingredients/Grains.html


http://www.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/Feed_ingredients/Proteins.html

http://www.mofga.org/Publications/M...r/Summer2003/Chickens/tabid/1481/Default.aspx

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/273497/feeding-peas-to-chickens
see post #8
Chris09 knows a lot.

So I tried going soy-free but found that mixing in some organic chick starter (organic soy and corn is all that's in it other than the vitamins/minerals) that they gain weight better. So you might be disappointed in the weight gain on a mainly wheat and peas diet. I believe that you need something like soy, meat, or milk to help up the protein and give them better growth.

But the mix looks like an excellent start. I don't know which one is better. I am no expert. I prefer to give a bit more than 14% protein myself.

I recommend buying a poultry nutrition book. It has helped me a lot. I like Heuser's "Feeding Poultry" book.

 

[Clay Mudd]

Depending on where you live, you might be able to find "iron and clay" peas. My chickens eat them more readily than the Austrians, and they're slightly cheaper. They also grow well in spring and summer in my climate, even on poor soil. Not sure if that matters, but wanted to mention it.

 

[Chris09]

Hi there, I can mix up some feed and want to know which is better or your opinions.

Here is the first mix I thought of this is 14%: Popcorn, Canada Peas, Whole Wheat, Austrian Peas, Red Milo, White Kafir, Oat Groats, Vetch, Buckwheat.


And the second one is and it is 17%: Popcorn, Canada Peas, Maple Peas, Safflower, Austrian Peas, White Kafir, Red Milo, Whole Wheat, Vetch.


Thank you, I want your honest to god opinion here.

The 14% feed would be good for growing birds but isn't any good for breeders, the 17% is better but still light in protein.
For breeders you want a feed that is around 18% to 22% and it should be either ground, crumble or pelleted so that the breeders get all the grains and don't pick out what they want.
I will also recommend that you add some much needed vitamins, minerals, animal proteins and fat to your mix.

Chris