I don't mind spending.... But they don't lay in winter anyway, so why not feed the scratch and scraps? The flock will be moved into their new abode in about a week and will not need bedding it will be warm and dry and a dream. Their run will be larger and a bit more plush vegetation wise. Even some trees for the banties to perch in within the run. Sevens dust... I'll look it up I hear its natural ... Is this correct? Why does de not work? We used to use it years ago for all the animals and their feed. I worked then. My goal is to raise them as naturally as possible. What on earth did the families in the depression era do for feed? Are we not well on our way to that life now? How can anyone justify $50+ in feed a month and no to near no eggs through the winter? In the longer days yes they got layer crumble. And free range during the day. We got our eggs but I still say not enough to cover feed cost. How does this balance out?
It most often doesn't balance out, when measuring the economics. Mostly, because we don't produce our own feeds, as my grandparents did during the depression. Or, make our own medicines, as they also did (despite working, many had very dangerous ingredients). There are many things we can do to improve our pastures, so as to obtain far higher yields. We can rotate our crops and our livestock in ways that maximize productivity, and minimize investment. We can even raise our own insects, so as to provide additional protein and essential amino acids, and raise vegetables that are higher in sulpher content to boost their immune systems, and process the grains in various ways, and plant crops that produce greens well into winter ... but, during such horribly difficult times, they worked many more hours per day to obtain far less than life required, and took care of their children and their animals first, because they knew the same answer others have given:
Your chickens must have what they need, in order to give you what you want.
You can obtain some things that are not fit for human consumption, but would still be great for your chickens. But, never because it's spoiled. Or, has been infested. Sure, you'll save a few dollar that day. But, you'll have chickens that are of poor quality, and have weakened immune systems, and all manner of infections. Which cost you more: The supplemental feed and the medications, or the failure to produce any weight gain, or many eggs of good quality, and you suffer the double-digit mortality rates that occur when flocks are not in good and proper condition?
When I was little, everything on our tables (save for the most basic of staple goods) came from the combined labors of our family, and God's kind blessings ... the work was hard, but the times were among our happiest ever. This time around? I'll be lucky if my first dozen eggs doesn't cost me $50 per egg ... let alone, per month ~'-)
My little brother has developed relationships with local produce departments and restaurants, so as to get what he the prepares for his many different birds. And, I've helped raise insects for him as well, so as to further reduce his costs. We've tried sprouted grains, and many other small experiments, in the hopes of making it more cost effective. And, mostly (so far as my farming in this century goes) for the plain ol' fun of it ... I enjoy the work, and the challenges of it all ... if I didn't? I'd surely just buy my eggs from somebody that did.
