Kalmbach Feed - Any Reviews?

[Frankiegirl]

Funny you mention the muffin smell! I thought it smelled like Raman Noodles

 

[Perfectnoise425]

@Mfranks THATS IT! Like the beef packet or something. I enjoy the smell..whatever it is

 

[RoosterML]

See there wasnt a mill date on the bottom of my bag this past time and I thought that was odd. They have a boy who puts it in your vehicle so, I dont get to pick it out.
We are switching feed stores and the new one has the non gmo. I of course also dont want to go broke feeding them either. If they keep having messy poops I'm switching back to Dumor unfortunately.

I don’t remember but Kalmbach May have the date on the tag itself. If it’s hot the messy poop is likely due to extra fluid consumption

 

[Mimi13]

Just wondering if you are still using this? I switched to kalmbach a couple bags ago. They really like it! They seem to eat more of it than what I was using (Dumor..I know it's not the greatest but they also have alot of free range)
The only thing is some of my gals have some pretty messy poos. It has been 90 here and they they alot of watermelon. I want to switch to the non-GMO. What I am really wondering is it worth it and has anyone had problems switching to this brand specifically. Not to steal your thread

I did change to Kalmbach and loved it. And my birds loved it better than Purina. However, both stores that sell the Kalmbach (in a 50 mile radius) cannot keep the kind I need in stock. They seem to have plenty of the meat bird feed, but not the Flock Maker. It leaves me completely frustrated, yet the manager at one of the stores says he has no control over what the company sends them. I don’t necessarily believe him, but haven’t gone as far as to contact the Kalmbach company. I guess I should but I don’t want to start anything with the store. I despise confrontations. I just wish somewhere close would begin selling all the Kalmbach products. I would switch back in a heart beat.

 

[Mimi13]

See there wasnt a mill date on the bottom of my bag this past time and I thought that was odd. They have a boy who puts it in your vehicle so, I dont get to pick it out.
We are switching feed stores and the new one has the non gmo. I of course also dont want to go broke feeding them either. If they keep having messy poops I'm switching back to Dumor unfortunately.

I would think the messy poops are coming from either switching feeds or the higher temps that cause the birds to drink more water. Sometimes some of my hens will shoot a watery poop similar to a duck’s. It’s nasty, but doesn’t last long.

The lower cost for the Kalmbach was also a nice find.

 

[Mimi13]

Funny you mention the muffin smell! I thought it smelled like Raman Noodles

THATS IT! Like the beef packet or something. I enjoy the smell..whatever it is

Yeah, the feed never smelled like muffin mix to me. It had a spice mix smell to me. Almost like the dressing I make for Thanksgiving! Alrighty, I’m hungry now!

 

[Perfectnoise425]

@RoosterML we have been in the 90s for far too long! Yes like a ducks. @Mimi13 So I'm sure its that! I hope it's that. It seems like a feed that I can depend on for ingredients. As for the tag that kinda dawned on me after I said that. Forgot to look!
That is frustrating about the feed! I get it!! I drove all over looking for that feed.
I actually switched to kalmbach bc my goat was eating it when I bought her! I figured maybe I would try it with the chickens. Now I come to find that the feed store my husband drives past on the way home from work sells Both! I am more than all for him doing all the leg work, and it's still close enough that I dont mind going there myself. He sells the non GMO for another customer so..here we are.

I hope the nongmo still smells the same Haha

 

[Sunshine_Chick]

We feed Kalmbach all-flock and are happy with it. We only have chickens. We’ve tried other brands, and have noticed the birds doing better on Kalmbach. The pellets are fairly uniform in length, and at the bottom of the bag there remains only a small amount of fines. We’ve been feeding Kalmbach for over 1 year. But we’ve had chickens over two years and quail before that, so we’ve used several brands of feed.


I do not generally buy the Purina feeds for a few reasons: it is a bit pricier bc I can only get it at TSC, I’ve seen bugs flying around the feed aisle at TSC (but not typical), so I don’t want to bring feed bugs home, and I’ve gotten a bad bag of Purina before, so would rather not have that hassle. However, the Purina is a good brand, and I would be ok with that feed.

the Kalmbach is an Ohio company, and seems like we get good dates from the feed store (I’m in western Ohio). I’ve been to a presentation by a Kalmbach feed scientist, and it was an informative presentation.

 

[Sunshine_Chick]

Let me clear this up for you.. I hope.

I have used both feeds..

Kalmbach once (100# chicken starter) since it is a more regional feed and not available in my area on a regular basis.. it smelled good, yes it did! I would totally use it again, and try the 20% "flock maker".

Purina flock raiser is what I've fed for years now since making the switch away from layer for all the same reasons (mixed gender, age, species). It's readily available, freshly milled, with good results. I DID use it for raising ducklings from start through finish. Niacin is not required to be listed on the guaranteed analysis for poultry feed by law and is often not included either. I contacted Purina and they replied the FR has 55mg/kg of niacin.. which is enough for *most* ducklings.. Jumbo Pekin may need more. No, I never personally saw angel wing or leg issues. I too have gotten bad bags of feed from Purina, I buy a LOT. 1 batch I got 3/5 were returned to the store (which is WHY I think they quit selling pellets as it's easier to hide smaller moldy pieces in crumble) There was no outer moisture damage to package and it was in the center of the bag (I'm SURE things happen occasionally, and haven't had cause for concern since), who also owns/makes many other brands including Nature Wise and Dumor.

By law in the US, feeds MUST be labeled with the species and age range the feed is appropriate for where the feeding directions are. Not the same as what may be pictured on the front. That means they meet the MINIMUM nutrient guidelines set by AAFCO??... not the ideal, preferred, maximum, or best nutritional value... just good enough for the industry at large. (Big Chicken)

I would say... one key to how well (all) birds do that should not be overlooked when comparing feeds is specifically amino acids content.

For me... there are 2 Purina mills in California that I know of. It's either that, Wature Wise, or Dumor. I prefer the Purina and it's with 1 cent per # difference for the same approximate formulation.


No, I disagree (and never did)... unless nutrients are also being diminished by excess treats or as mentioned above Jumbo Pekin breed. But I would consider contacting Kalmbach and asking how much niacin if it isn't listed on the bag, tag or @Kiki feed comparison thread already.


I had that issue even with the Purina flock raiser at one of my (very small) LFS. I no longer shop there with reason, unfortunately. She ordered by the pallet but without the turnover it was 6+ months past mill date. Fresh stock and volume turn over are definitely key in my experience with feed choices and dictate them heavily. I always look at dates and not afraid to change feed or say something to store keeper if needed. While some nutrients may be stabilized, most will be diminishing with time... and more rapidly when exposed to light, air, heat, moisture, etc. So storage conditions may be a factor, especially in hot regions warehouses, trucking, even your garage, etc.

I mostly share my eggs also. But it sure feels fantastic when someone brings by some homemade cookies or bread, some fresh caught and cleaned fish, homemade jam or ice cream, fresh garden fruits and veggies.. even dog treats.

But ducks ate me out of house and home (possibly breed related), so weren't for me in the end. Still was a wonderful adventure, such cool animals loaded with character and so different than chickens.

Happy adventures!

ETA: Ducks and game birds have higher nutrient needs than chickens starting out.. no way in hell (sorry) would I feed that to start turkeys with.. and seeing it makes me. Now I need to know.. that's throwing major red flags about being an unscrupulous company... I don't know WHAT the law says, but turkeys do need more protein than that from EVERYTHING I've read.
http://www.poultryhub.org/nutrition/nutrient-requirements/nutrient-requirements-of-turkeys/

But, it *looks* fine for ducks.. again make contact and ask for a complete analysis.

Here is duck nutrition info, and a good general resource...
https://www.metzerfarms.com/NutritionalRequirements.cfm?affiliate=undef&CustID=25222325

So very informative!

 

[WNYfarmfresh]

Kalmbach is the best quality feed I’ve found so far. It smells so fresh and delicious. The birds respond well to it. Much more consistent as well.