Mixing my own feed?

[Colt Frost]

If you are feeding a good balanced ration there's no need for a mineral supplement. Most of us have oyster shell in a separate container, in case a laying hen feels the need to have some extra.
The Purina 'Flock Block' is a treat, with feed and yummy stuff to entertain the birds.
I bought one once, years ago. My birds were obsessed with it, and ate nothing else until it was gone. I never got another one.
Mary

I feed which ever layer crumble/pellet is cheapest. And I'm pretty sure they get full because their crops are always big. And I'm pretty sure it gives good nutrients because I got an egg from all 15 of my hens today.

 

[lazy gardener]

Run your ideas past your county Ag. Extension Poultry agent. See if they think your mix is adequate. IMO cotton seed meal is not food. And your mix would be grossly deficient in correct blend of amino acids, minerals and vitamins. In order for protein to be utilized by the body, it has to have the right proportion of amino acids. Same for minerals and vitamins. They must be balanced. If one is lacking or too abundant, you can end up with very sick chickens. that's why I choose to buy a bag of blended feed.

 

[centrarchid]

Mr. Frost, you can get by with a poorly balanced feed if they do in fact have access to sufficient amounts of quality forage. If the nutrition from everything they are getting, including what you are offering is off, then you will see signs in birds that will direct you to make adjustments. First thing I would watch for is a big increase in the area they forage. Then will be a reduction in egg production. Next thing to be watching for is reduced interest in feed you are providing and possible health issues that can come in many flavors. If your birds are able to sustain egg production, then more likely than not their nutrient intake is sufficient. Penned birds and those without access to quality forage will be better served by providing them a complete diet. The majority of poultry keepers do not have the quality free-range forage needed to support a flock otherwise provided only an incomplete ration as you are contemplating.

 

[lazy gardener]

The majority of poultry keepers do not have the quality free-range forage needed to support a flock otherwise provided only an incomplete ration as you are contemplating.

This!!!

 

[Cindy in PA]

I have read than Cottonseed meal is a problem with egg layers. It turns the eggs black or green or something. I would not feed cottonseed meal to my chickens.

 

[B Redhawk]

Our chooks have been known to reject layer crumble but they love to steal the hog's feed, I compared the ingredients and they seem to be close enough in nutrients so I stopped worrying about that. They have free choice minerals and oyster shell for when they want those. Mostly they free range in the same pastures as the hogs and we have gotten eggs all winter long. We don't feed any of our animals gmo items and our whole farm is organic or better. I would watch out for things like cottonseed and soy meal. This year we are going to plant a lot of small grains for the chooks to forage.