North Carolina

[HenThymes]

We get through approx 100 lbs per month. I gave up on Purina at almost $16 a sack, now use either Bartletts or Winners pellets (20% protein) at $13 a sack.......

Tricia, is your feed guy friend going to be there in April? If so, maybe get him to bring some feed to sell. I will buy 2 or 3 sacks and bring it home with me if he is priced around the same as I am paying now....

I keep my feed in a steel bin, tight lid so no mice etc can free feed...... and it keeps it fresh, add in the Calf Manna (love the smell) and away we go!

We use Bartlett and flock raiser for the juvi's and seramas, all pellets.

Our feed guy will be there again, this time with LOTS more from store to sell. I will talk to him about bringing feed too.

 

[NewHomesteader2010]

are you free feeding them? As in leaving a feeder full of food out at all times? If so - stop - or fix the feeder so you can cover it, so they can't get to it all the time. I tried free feeding and I went through way too much feed. I feed them a decent amount in the AM, then I feed scraps mid day or so, and then throw out some more food in the evening for a snack. Even free ranging they will try to chow down and stuff themselves full of food, way more than they need and continuously eat all day - which isn't good. 1. they aren't doing their job in the yard, 2, they are wasting too much money, and 3. I was feeding the neighbor's chickens and the wild birds and mice too...

Now I go through about 150 maybe 200 lbs of feed a month for 40-50 birds and they have full crops at night when going to bed, so they are healthy and happy.

I feed my chickens 1lbs-2lbs in the morning, free range them for 4-5 hours, then give some scratch in the evenings! I have 13 chickens in the coop and it takes me about 2 weeks to go through 25lbs.
Today is day 9 for my girl Autumn who is faithfully sitting on 10 eggs, YAY. I'm gonna try candling tonight to see if any are devolping *fingerscrossed*
And tomorrow I'm getting 20 new chicks, can't wait!
Hope everybody has a blessed day!

Thanks!! Now I know why my roosters are so BIG!! I read what you all suggested to the DH (who is responsible for feeding) and found out he was filling (FILLING) our 30 gallon feed bucket (the one we bought specifically for when we went out of town to make it easier on our elderly neighbor). No wonder we are going through so much feed! Starting tomorrow my chickens are going on a "diet"!!

They free range for almost 10 hours a day - I think that is plenty of time for them to forage and find stuff!! If I could reach through the computer and hug you two, I would!!

That will have to do!!
Hmm...Beth, do you think if I am going through this much feed, I just need to increase my flock size?? LOL

 

[Matt A NC]

I go through 150# of feed each week for 113 birds. That is 64 bantams ranging from 14 ounces to 3.5 pounds. 49 standards ranging from 5 pounds to 15 pounds.

Most freerange all day long and 23 are let out before 11am. The biggest problem with feed waste is wild birds. All feeders have catch pans to catch any scratched out feed. Any feed scratched out will never be touched if left. The catch pans are sifted once a week and the feed is remixed a little at a time in with new feed and fed back to them. That is the only way I was able to out smart the birds.

I use Southern States laying pellets and Cracked corn. The amount of corn depends on the time of year and the temps. During the hottest parts of summer the corn is less then 10% of the mix. I get corn by the month and layer for the week+. I get corn for $8.25 at Gragg farm supply and the pellets are $11.45 there or $13 at Belle Farm. Gragg's is 2 gallons of gas away so unless I am going for the month's corn I just go to Belle Farm for the week's pellets.

Matt

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

Thanks!! Now I know why my roosters are so BIG!! I read what you all suggested to the DH (who is responsible for feeding) and found out he was filling (FILLING) our 30 gallon feed bucket (the one we bought specifically for when we went out of town to make it easier on our elderly neighbor). No wonder we are going through so much feed! Starting tomorrow my chickens are going on a "diet"!!

They free range for almost 10 hours a day - I think that is plenty of time for them to forage and find stuff!! If I could reach through the computer and hug you two, I would!!

That will have to do!!
Hmm...Beth, do you think if I am going through this much feed, I just need to increase my flock size?? LOL

you said you have 13 chickens right? do you guys ever drink coffee? if you have a regular sized coffee container, use it, for 13 chickens fill it half way and feed them in the AM, if you can throw them a few handfuls out in the afternoon and scraps/treats - go for it. then feed them another half can in the evening say an hour before it starts to get dark. Thats plenty of food for 13 free rangers in my opinion.

great rule of thumb put as much food out at a time that they can and will clear within 20 minutes. so if they don't eat that half can worth within 15-20 minutes in the AM feed less in the evening so you don't waste it.

 

[BHep]

As you all know.... I have 300 ish chickens and 67 others (peacocks, ducks, Pheasants, Quail, geese) I use at least 300 lbs a WEEK !! They get 17% pellets mixed with 16% mash and scratch for treats and kitchen scraps. I feed 2xs a day. The free rangers ( chickens, ducks, geese ) hardly touch their feed troth. The cooped birds eat and scratch food all over the place.

I take turns putting coops out in a tractor or pen I have set up, then I leave their coop door open and the barn chickens go in and clean up. Wasteful creatures !!

 

[MaryRuthLangdon]

Busy, Busy day... doing all my chores...

I wonder if I can train my chickens to do housework... LoL

 

[BHep]

When you do...I want hatching eggs.

 

[MaryRuthLangdon]

 

[BookWorm243]

Hey guys I am cross posting this for our Animal Control, pass it along we want to have a good group !!!

The host and star of "It's Me Or The Dog" Victoria Stilwell will be coming to Franklin, NC! ! !

Macon county has made a positive change in saving animals and on February 23rd at 3:30pm Ms. Stilwell is coming to congratulate our commumity for their involvement.

After addressing 700 students at Mountain View Intermediate School. Ms, Stilwell will make her presentation to our community. She will be autographing the MCAC 2012 calender, so make sure to get yours before hand!!!



TOPICS:

Spay/Neuter,

Training Tips,

Reduce Bullying,

Homless Pets Clubs,

Student Involvment In Animal Rescue,

Congradulate Macon County For Making A Positive Change!



Reserve Your Seat Today at 828-788-5052

It will be located at 161 Clarks Chapel Road Franklin, NC 28734

 

[ThatsCluckedup]

Monroe