Making your own organic chick starter feed?

[justmeinflorida]

I was thinking about making my own organic, non-gmo, soy free chick starter feed for the chicks we'll be getting and was wondering if anyone makes their own? If you do where do you source your grains from? What's your cost per pound? What is your recipe?

Thanks!

 

[pdirt]

I looked into making our own organic feed to save money. Search on BYC, you will find lots of recipes. The reason I have so far decided NOT to mix our own feed is because it is difficult to get a proper balance of essential amino acids as well as other nutrients. The more I looked into it the more I changed my mind about doing it. Search Google Books and you will find some oldie-but-goodie free books on chicken nutrition. There is also the famous Harvey Usser article that many folks follow for mixing their own feed.

PM me if you want my Excel spreadsheet to figure out costs and protein content. Someday I will also update it to calculate essential aminos and fatty acids.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I made whole grain non soy feed for a short time. If you get a protein calculator & adhere to the limits of some grains that are supposed to be no more than a certain % etc. it is not hard. I added Fertrell Nutribalancer to the mix and I'm sure there are other vitamin mixes like it. I bought my peas & grains from a local farmer who sells feed.

 

[Spongegirl]

I made my own scratch formula...I gave it to my month old chicks but I wont give it to new chicks...

all the grain cereals like rice, bran, corn, oats, grits, powdered mild, baby formula (thanks lactating sister), parsley, cinnamon, tyme, garlic, poppy seeds, onion powder, paprika, red pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin, instant potatoes, turmeric, honey, and sunflower oil.

So I know this seem laughable but can it be more nutritious? lol I have everything they need... Antibiotics, antibacterials, anti-inflammatory, antivirals, dewormers, calcium, everything. Am I crazy?