New chickener here: advice on homemade feed

[PAChickenChick]

Quote:
Stacey that is a fantastic idea!!!!! Thanks for it!

I am curious though...I see alot of mention of "grit" and am wondering what it is, what it's for, and can I get it somewhere easy.
I live in the suburbs and there aren't "feed" stores around here. Only "pet" stores which you can't buy chicken supplies at.

Thanks again!

(oh, I do have ONE local farm where I could maybe buy it at but I'm not sure.)

 

[digitS']

With lots of garden veggies in the diet, the problem is too little protein, glib. You should be overcoming that deficiency with meat scraps. They were a common ingredient for commercial poultry farmers in years past.

As an example of vegetable protein levels: kale has 3.3% protein, leaf lettuce 1.4% protein, and pumpkin has only 1%. If the hens are eating very much of this (keep in mind that their capacity is only about 1/4 lb daily), they won't have adequate protein for egg production. The crude protein levels of laying rations are above 15%. I like the idea of having that free choice no matter what additional feed the birds are getting.

I think you are on a good route and have received good advice.

Steve

edited to say that I mean their capacity is for 1/4 lb of feed daily so it is easy to "stuff" them with food that is inadequate for their needs. An egg is 11% protein and weighs about 1/8 lb. If a hen lays two eggs, she's used 1 day's ration of food to have accomplished the feat!

 

[Davaroo]

You'll do well with all that. I suggest you keep a dish of regular feed and some oyster shell available to them to add in, but I doubt your chickens are gonna starve on that diet.

Do keep in mind they have specific needs through the year.

Layers at work need protein and calcium in spades.

All birds need energy foods in the cold months - this means corn and starch grains

Your great grand father did well, with much the same as you. Here's a source of HIS information on feeding chickens:

http://journeytoforever.org/farm_library/ppp/ppp7.html

http://journeytoforever.org/farm_library/ppp/ppp7b.html

Dowload the entire free book you'll find there - it is invaluable

 

[kstaven]

It is one of the better common sense poultry books out there on the net. Nice to see you back Roo.

 

[Davaroo]

Thank you. I've never been far...

 

[kstaven]

As an x researcher I really shouldn't say this, but here goes. I read an old publication like that and have to ask myself; "When was simple common sense and observation replaced by the necessity of peer reviewed like everything seems to need to be today?" If your birds thrive on a simple basic diet like the ones listed, then why would anyone require science to validate what they know to be true?

To study why it works is one thing. But to quit doing, it like many would today, until they found a study to confirm what they know works is just plain foolish. IMHO

I'll stop now before I write a novel and start a war on the board.

 

[Davaroo]

When was simple common sense and observation replaced by the necessity of peer reviewed like everything seems to need to be today?"

I suspect it has as much to do with the availability of every sort of information than anything else. We are more learned, even among lay people than ever before, regardless of what the evening news would make you believe. I call it information avalanche.

All it then takes is someone - anyone - to add validity to our pet theories and we're off. The lines between pseudo-science and genuine learning become blurred shortly therafter. This is especially so nowadays, when we are afraid of hurting someones feelings. In our rush to be nice, we will embrace any sort of notion.

But, honestly, all the study that was relevant to poultry nutrition was done by the 1960's. Whether cider vinegar or probiotic emulsions or any of the other stuff making the rounds today is relevant is still a matter of conjecture... depending on who you talk to.

In other words? The more we know the more we think we know.​

 

[dlhunicorn]

heya David ole sparring buddy ole pal! where have ya been?

 

[Texas Fluffy Feet]

That is an excellent idea to visit whole foods Seachick! My brother apparently knows ways around those locked dumpsters. He has become quite fond of my chickens and he made a stop by a local big chain the other day and brought me in a box full of goregous mixed green salads in individual sealed plastic containers, still cold and with that days date on it. I asked him where he got them and he said the store dumpster. Yuck was my first thought! He said he knows a guy who works there and they throw out all kinds of things that technically are still edible. It's a date thing ya know. Heck if he wouldn't have told me they had been in a trash can I would have ate it myself it was that pretty! It's just a shame they can't call local soup kitchens to come pick up the "good" food they are throwing away.

I think I may make a trip to Whole Foods though, I just don't think I want to climb in the dumpsters no matter how much i love my chickens.

 

[S0rcy]

Thanks for the book suggestion Elderoo