Lets talk feed

[rainplace]

We used 18% start to finish on our first batch of 100. At 53 days we harvested half and their dressed weights averaged 5lbs. We harvested the other half one week later at 60 days and their average dressed weights were 6.25lbs.

We got our second batch while the first batch was still growing out and I was second guessing my feed decision because I thought our cornish looked to be on the small side so for the second batch I started them on 20%. I bought a quarter ton and can't remember how long it took them to finish it... maybe 2.5 weeks. We then put them onto the 18%. At day 53 this batches average was 4lbs. There are other variables besides protein content that could have effected growth so I don't know why our second batch was so much smaller. What I do know is that we did fine with the 18% from start to finish and it was cheaper then if we did a higher protein from start to finish. As we are paying .44 cents a pound for our feed, we absolutely count pennies when growing them out.

Our third batch is on 18% and so far seem to be doing fine.

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

I would love to have a tried and true recipe for a meatbird ration. I was looking at the recipe that Joel Salatin uses but I don't know where to get the Fertrell's Nutri-Balancer. Has anyone ever used it?

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
Fertrell is an supplier of mostly organic feed supply. If you google "Fertrell distubutor, your area/state", you should be able to find someone in your area that can get it for you. There are many other companies that make a Nutri-Balancer as well.

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

Quote:
Fertrell is an supplier of mostly organic feed supply. If you google "Fertrell distubutor, your area/state", you should be able to find someone in your area that can get it for you. There are many other companies that make a Nutri-Balancer as well.

I have done that and the closest one is over 450 miles away. Do you have experience with Nutri-Balancer, is it worth it??

 

[chickiedoodle]

I have been looking for it as well. I finally worked out a corn-free, soy-free ration that will only cost me $0.40/lb but was not able to find a distributor near me. I emailed Fertrell yesterday afternoon and this morning have already received a not only a reply from them telling me there is a distributor in WA that services N.Cal, but also a reply from the distributor telling me that he is away from the office today but giving me his cell phone so I can call. So, if their customer service says anything about their product I would say it is worth every penny and I am eager to give it a try-depending on shipping from WA of course

 

[Tracydr]

Quote:
Fertrell is an supplier of mostly organic feed supply. If you google "Fertrell distubutor, your area/state", you should be able to find someone in your area that can get it for you. There are many other companies that make a Nutri-Balancer as well.

It's not available in AZ. Is there anything comparable, or is there somewhere that I can mail order it from?

 

[SteveH]

Quote:
Fertrell is an supplier of mostly organic feed supply. If you google "Fertrell distubutor, your area/state", you should be able to find someone in your area that can get it for you. There are many other companies that make a Nutri-Balancer as well.

It's not available in AZ. Is there anything comparable, or is there somewhere that I can mail order it from?

If you're not going organic, the majors like Kent and Purina make supplements formulated to mix custom ground feeds, and if you have a custom mill near you they should have some on hand. I've used Kent Poultry Base in the past.

 

[schmism]

Its my understanding that some of the larger producers cut back to 18% after the first few weeks to slow bird growth for the remaining weeks for a healther bird. IMHO you may wish to seperate a few and feed them the 18% and see if it results in any differences. If not why pay the higher price for the larger protein content.

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

Quote:
I wish I would have thought to do that. In comparing this batch with the batch that I did in the spring, they may be a tiny bit smaller (but who's to say that it's because of feed) but they are a lot more active than my last batch!! They are not constantly laying by the feeders.

I'm also going to try and do custom feed next year. I need to call the mill and see what they can do for me.

 

[Tracydr]

Quote:
It's not available in AZ. Is there anything comparable, or is there somewhere that I can mail order it from?

If you're not going organic, the majors like Kent and Purina make supplements formulated to mix custom ground feeds, and if you have a custom mill near you they should have some on hand. I've used Kent Poultry Base in the past.

There's a Cargill mill about 60 miles south of me. If I find a recipe for what I want mixed, is it possible that I could just get the premixed from them and have them mix it with the grains I specify? Or, do I need to find a no-name mill and then buy a 50 lb bag of premixed for them to work with?
Not having much luck finding no-name mills, they must be farther out in the boonies or don't exist in this state.