Making your own organic feed

[paneubert]

I live in Missouri

Any particular reason why you want to make your own feed? I was reading some of your other posts and it does not seem like you are going to have THAT many chickens. You may find that making your own that is nutritionally balanced to the same level as commercial feed, in the quantities you need it (before it goes bad), is not cost effective.

 

[Roo5]

We’re not going to have but 12, but I figured it would be cheaper?I have raised chickens but I never have ever made my own feed, and at that time I had 20 plus chickens along with geese, ducks and turkeys etc, so basically your saying it would only be necessary if I still had that many.

 

[Fairview01]

The more complicated something is the less likely it will be continued. Making your own feed is about as complicated and time consuming as keeping chickens can possibly get, particularly if it is going to be a complete nutritionally balanced feed AND keeping it truly organic by definition.

Also it will be more expensive in regards to your personal time invested than buying a sack of feed and more expensive buying certified organic products to make the feed.

 

[paneubert]

For 12 chickens, you would need to have a good and specific reason and feel strongly about committing to making your own feed. Like @Fairview01 says, it is complicated, and most people have the novelty of making their own feed wear off very fast. From all the comments on here, I see a lot of "probably" and "maybe" and "I guess" from you. No offense intended, but it sounds like you were talked into making your own feed and are just trying to figure out what that means. I am here to tell you that it is not worth it for 12 chickens. Unless you develop a strong desire, driven by something specific. Like a hatred of corporations. Or 12 special needs birds who cant eat normal food. The lack of organic commercial feed in your area. Or the need to avoid a certain main ingredient (like corn or soy). Etc...

 

[Roo5]

No hard feelings here,thanks.It looks it sounds easier then it really is, and I don’t think it’s as worth as I thought.

 

[paneubert]

No hard feelings here,thanks.It looks it sounds easier then it really is, and I don’t think it’s as worth as I thought.

If you feel the urge to tinker with their feed, maybe find some recipes for good treats! Or start a mealworm farm. That would give you something to do and would result in treats for the chickens.

 

[Fairview01]

... Or 12 special needs birds who cant eat normal food.

I'd eat the special needs chickens before I made a special feed for them. Less work and much tastier in the end.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Making your own feed and properly balancing the nutrients in it is not cost effective, simply because it's going to cost you more to buy the foodstuffs that goes into it than it costs the feed companies (that are buying in bulk).

If you have a food allergy that you're working around, that's another matter, as the cost and inconvenience is less relevant than making sure you can eat the eggs or meat that's produced.