New Corrected Recipe for homemixed feed

[ChickensAreSweet]

Nyjer thistle seed (I have already given the birds this and they eat it happily)
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=7700
20% protein


This is my new candidate for diversity.
Am calculating now....

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
I don't know how to do this!

Hopefully WW can elaborate on what she sees missing.. Maybe a lack of meat? Methionine? The Sunflower seed you have may be enough, it is a good source of it.

Lysine?, which is in corn and peas, which you do not have alot of either in... (Why I keep bringing up the peas...)

I will look good quality commercial feed like countryside naturals and the ratios they have the grains you want in, then compare the amino acid profiles of the grains and seeds you have.

It is rough and crude but with an "eye" or good "gut" instinct you can come pretty close.

ON

Thank you very much!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Oops I realized I should have sent off a new post instead of editing the old one! Here's my new recipe so far.

 

[Organics North]

Do the chickens like the thistle seed?

This was all I could find in a quick search an amino acids in Niger seed:

Niger Seed is one of the many kinds of oily or fatty seeds that is suitable for inclusion in the diet of Gouldian finches. Niger seeds are very beneficial to Gouldians during the colder parts of the year, but they also should be available to hens in the spring prior to the breeding season. Niger seeds are high in protein (about 21%) and extremely high in oil (fat about 40%) and Carbohydrate at about 13%. They contain almost 4% minerals, including relatively high amounts of calcium and potassium. Additionally, essential amino acids including lysine, cystine, tyrosene, and methionine make this an all together very useful addition to the diet. However, it should not form more than 5% of the total diet and it only should be purchased in small amounts at a time as its high fat content renders it quickly rancid if damaged or spoiled

ON

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Thank you for this info.! Yes, my chickens do eat the thistle seed. I went out today and bought a 50lb bag of it.

at the price!!!

I also bought myself some organic layer pellets to mix in, as I can see this is going to be a pricey mix that I'm doing. I don't like the soy too much, but at least it's organic soy and not GMO. I won't give them too many pellets. And I won't be able to give them to the ones who are not laying yet.

Thank you again ON, Chris09 and all the blessed ones who have been contributing to this thread. I appreciate the info, and my chickens appreciate the increased protein!!!