Milled Feed question

[Mac in Wisco]

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That's kind of backwards. In the winter they are eating more to keep warm. They need more energy, but not necessarily more protein, they are already getting more protein from increased consumption. In the summer they eat less because of the heat and can end up being low on protein intake. That's when the extra protein can help.

 

[CARS]

Quote:
That's kind of backwards. In the winter they are eating more to keep warm. They need more energy, but not necessarily more protein, they are already getting more protein from increased consumption. In the summer they eat less because of the heat and can end up being low on protein intake. That's when the extra protein can help.

The extra protein was recommended by my last feed mill and my current one to keep the eggs coming. It wasn't really for warmth but to keep them laying. Hope they weren't pulling my leg

 

[jaku]

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500 POUNDS for only 25 Cornish X's.......

Yeah, it sounds like a lot, but that's only about $100.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Quote:
That's kind of backwards. In the winter they are eating more to keep warm. They need more energy, but not necessarily more protein, they are already getting more protein from increased consumption. In the summer they eat less because of the heat and can end up being low on protein intake. That's when the extra protein can help.

The extra protein was recommended by my last feed mill and my current one to keep the eggs coming. It wasn't really for warmth but to keep them laying. Hope they weren't pulling my leg

The layers need that extra protein early in the winter months from about late September - December as they tend to molt this time. This is probably what the feed mill was referring too.... the higher protein will get them through their molt faster... hence keep them laying.

But if your trying to keep them warm... throw some extra carbs at them... whole corn works just fine. Give them a scoop right before they go to bed.

 

[sekinkead]

Since I am also new to this, my question is how do you store your large orders of feed? I did 25 cornish crosses last year for myself and sold a few to friends and co-workers and I have tons of orders for more this year so any tips especially in cutting feed costs is welcome.

 

[CARS]

I bought a 3 ton feed bin (like you would see in front of a confinement building, be it turkeys, hogs, or cattle) for $150.00 at a sale. Some use 55 gal. drums with a lid held in place by a binding ring.

ETA: Oh ya, they deliver it in a semi right to my barn for $5.00 a load.

 

[bigredfeather]

I get both my broiler and layer feed custom ground/mixed. I pay $7.00/50 pounds for both kinds. The price is determined by what grain prices are when the feed is ordered, so it varies a bit. The broiler feed is 23% protein, and the layer is a 17% protein. The last batch of layer, I had them use 80% crimped corn that was added after grinding so the chickens could pick out the big pieces of corn to keep warm. I am thinking about trying a 21% broiler feed this Spring, and see if it makes any difference. The feed will be slightly cheaper, but that may be offset by less meat. :dunno

 

[Omani]

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Look up "feed mills". Depending on where you live, you might have to go out "to the country" to find one. If you have room for tonnage, most mills will deliver. The mill I deal with for my chicken feed has a 1 ton minimum for deliveries. We don't have room for it. So I buy the pre-bagged. It's still half to a third of what it sells for at a feed store. They will even split bags for you (for a couple of bucks).
We put the feed,scratch, whatever into metal garbage cans and tie down the lids.

 

[EGGTASKTIC]

The local co -op is about .17 a lb for layer ration.

Custom grind batch 500 lb. min.

Just started getting them info for the broiler mix. Getting 1/2 ton.

I am looking the a grain bin at a sale, also. That way I can store more ->get more chickens- > make more work for myself.

 

[CARS]

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You really only want to store a months worth, maybe up to two months. It starts loosing nutrients and can spoil if it's humid out. Somehow or another, I have snow in my bin right now. The only good thing about the sub zero temps I am experiencing is that it just stays in frozen state. Because I have another months worth of feed in the bin. Once it gets wet it doesn't flow out and will go bad.