Newby feed question...

[E-Chick]

Hi all...first post here!

From what I've seen from searching around here this morning, this forum seems to be VERY informative!

My hubby and I are in the planning stages of becoming "new parents" to about 10 chickens. I suppose we will be purchasing a variety of pullets (??? forgive my naivete in the proper term - young, egg layers) shortly.

Yesterday, we put together a pretty good sized coop...bought a 8'x6' shed and will be outfitting it soon.

I want to do the free range, organic thing. As far as feeding goes, I've found this "organic" soy free feed. NOT trying to advertise anything here, just wondering if this feed looks like a good one. Has anyone here had any experience with it? Price look reasonable? Other suggestions?

http://www.randallburkey.com/prodinfo.asp?number=10862


Thanks in advance!

 

[E-Chick]

Moderators, please remove my post if the link is considered inappropriate.

Thanks!

 

[soctippy]

you need to find a feed that is called chick starter. from what you have posted the birds you are getting are not laying eggs yet. chickens that are not laying yet need higher protein feed like 20% or so because they are growing fast. the other reason i say chick starter is that feed called "layer feed" has more calcium in it to make hard egg shells. chickens that do not lay yet should not have that much calcium, it can damage their kidneys. hope this helps

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

that feed is rather expensive for what you are getting
are the layers going to be grown up?
this looks like a grain type feed
What is the main protein feed?
have you studies the laying crumbles of regular commercial feed?
purina has a protein feed for layers
I would look at that
hopefully it is less than $1.00 a lb
email me at PM for more information

 

[E-Chick]

We do NOT plan on purchasing chicks.

That being said, I don't even know *what* to look for in any type of feed. Just see that soy is not desirable. And, my desire to have an organic feed.

$36.99 for 50lbs. BUT, with shipping, it puts this at nearly $1.50 per pound.

Here's the ingredient list:

"With 15% protein, 2% fat, and 7% fiber, our certified soy-free Layer Feed is a complete feed that's supplemented with Thorvin kelp, organic alfalfa, and Fertrell Poultry Nutri-Balancer. It's formulated with additional calcium for egg shell strength and flaxseed to increase the omega-3 content of the eggs.

Crude protein, minimum.............................................. 15.00%
Crude fat, minimum.......................................................2.00%
Crude fiber, maximum................................................... 7.00%


INGREDIENTS
Organic Field Peas, Organic Wheat, Organic Corn, Organic Oats, Calcium Carbonate, Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate, Organic Flaxseed, Organic Alfalfa Meal, Fish Meal, Dried Organic Kelp, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, d-Pantothenic Acid, Niacin, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Iron Polysaccharide Complex, Manganese Polysaccharide Complex, Zinc Polysaccharide Complex, Copper Polysaccharide Complex, Cobalt Polysaccharide Complex, Yeast Culture, , Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Bacillus Licheniformis, Bacillus Subtilis, Lactobacillus Lactis, Enterococcus Faecium, (Dried Aspergillis Oryzae Fermentation Extract)"

 

[soctippy]

I was wondering why you say that soy is not desirable?

 

[E-Chick]

Quote:
Just in my searching online for answers, I found a thread here. Look at all of it, but, what prompted me was post #2:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=163399

 

[cybercat]

You say you do Not plan on buying chicks. But do you have a local source for adults? Try finding 10 adult hens first that are laying and not someones cull because they have stopped. It will not be all that easy if possible at all. The fact is even if you buy organic feed the chickens you are buying most likely were Not fed organic and were fed a soy based food. The only way not to get chickens like that is to buy chicks and start feeding them yourself.

Yes, I agree if I was feeding my chickens year round i would also feed a non based soy food. Lucky for me i can free range mine all year almost.

 

[E-Chick]

Quote:
NOT a problem around here. Egg layers are going for $15-17 each.

Finished our coop and pen today!!! Bought 5 laying hens today that are 6 months old. $15.00 each. The feed store had about 30-35 of them. We plan on a variety of EE, so we stuck with just a few of these Rhode Island (reds?). The salesperson called them Rhode Island "Groths" or something to that effect. If you know what that means, let me know.

I took a few pics, but not sure how to post them on this forum yet. I will as soon as I can.

 

[The Poultry Peanut]

If you have a gebos or something of the type organic feed is fairly cheep we get ours at HF&C feed for about $9 in 50lb bags. You can ask them any questions and they should answer any Q's you have (or just ask here

)
Oh and