Peas, wheat barley mix for laying hens?

[EggSighted4Life]

I have found a pea wheat barely mix, they offer added protein for 30 cents

Formulated rations also have added vitamins, minerals, and importantly amino acids.

All those things mentioned are perfectly acceptable to be sprouted (or foddered) as a treat.

Note, not all proteins are created equal and animal protein is a superior source of some key nutrients. B 12 CANNOT be found in plant sources but IS a key nutrient. Again added (maybe synthetically) to our formulated (mostly "vegetarian") rations. Some folks do have access to rations with fish or other protein sources added in.

Storing large amounts.. diminishes nutrient content over time, if your flock isn't large enough to consume that much in a short period (say a few months). Though a lot of the formulated rations have added stabilized nutrients to meet a certain shelf life (1 year it seems). Mold, rodents, and insect pests are all possibilities that could ruin a whole batch of stored feed... if this will be a first time storing that large of amount.

@U_Stormcrow thank you for taking the time to type that out and share valid CLEAR information!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Note, not all proteins are created equal and animal protein is a superior source of some key nutrients. B 12 CANNOT be found in plant sources but IS a key nutrient. Again added (maybe synthetically) to our formulated (mostly "vegetarian") rations. Some folks do have access to rations with fish or other protein sources added in.

@U_Stormcrow thank you for taking the time to type that out and share valid CLEAR information!

I haven't begun to start looking into vitamins in feed yet. THANK YOU @EggSighted4Life for giving me a jumping off point. Lovely to come to offer a useful opinion and learn something new in the same thread. MUCH appreciated!

 

[shaileen]

Formulated rations also have added vitamins, minerals, and importantly amino acids.

All those things mentioned are perfectly acceptable to be sprouted (or foddered) as a treat.

Note, not all proteins are created equal and animal protein is a superior source of some key nutrients. B 12 CANNOT be found in plant sources but IS a key nutrient. Again added (maybe synthetically) to our formulated (mostly "vegetarian") rations. Some folks do have access to rations with fish or other protein sources added in.

Storing large amounts.. diminishes nutrient content over time, if your flock isn't large enough to consume that much in a short period (say a few months). Though a lot of the formulated rations have added stabilized nutrients to meet a certain shelf life (1 year it seems). Mold, rodents, and insect pests are all possibilities that could ruin a whole batch of stored feed... if this will be a first time storing that large of amount.

@U_Stormcrow thank you for taking the time to type that out and share valid CLEAR information!

That is very true my flock may not actually be big enough yet for 1000lbs of feed, i currently get 20kg bags of country junction 17% organic layer ration, as well as scratch and my chicks get the same brand of starter and grower, I currently have a lot moulting so they have access to layer supplement as well at the moment but this specific brand is about $28 a 20 kg bag. There is a place about 5 hours away from me that sells a brand called clucking good layer feed for $6 for 20kg, I have been contemplating taking the drive and just stocking up on that but I’ll need to make sure it’s actually decent food before I do that, thanks so much! This site is very helpful indeed!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Ah, you are in Canada. Your nutritional labels are pretty rough, compared to the American equivalent. I couldn't find an ingredient list, either. At least, not online.

Protein is in the expected range - actually high for Layer*, Fat looks very good, Fiber is at the high end of the typical range. Calcium is as expected, Phosphorus is good. So is sodium.
*the caveat. The web page says its an organic, all vegetable blend - no animal products. VERY hard to reach desired Methionine levels in an all veggie diet - particularly with a fat content that low. Even if they add synthetics (appears as dl-Methionine) on an ingredient list, if you can find one - the limits imposed under US law usually result in a lovel of just 0.30%. I assume (without knowing) that Canadian limits are similar.

For reference, this is the label from a 17% Organic US feed - the very popular Kalmbach brand. Its one of the few exceptions to the low fat, 0.3% or less generalization above.

You can see how it makes it easier for us to be educated consumers - if we want to be.
Even so, we both have it better than our friends across the pond in the EU. Its VERY hard for them, the labels are almost worthless.

 

[shaileen]

View attachment 3135019
Ah, you are in Canada. Your nutritional labels are pretty rough, compared to the American equivalent. I couldn't find an ingredient list, either. At least, not online.

Protein is in the expected range - actually high for Layer*, Fat looks very good, Fiber is at the high end of the typical range. Calcium is as expected, Phosphorus is good. So is sodium.
*the caveat. The web page says its an organic, all vegetable blend - no animal products. VERY hard to reach desired Methionine levels in an all veggie diet - particularly with a fat content that low. Even if they add synthetics (appears as dl-Methionine) on an ingredient list, if you can find one - the limits imposed under US law usually result in a lovel of just 0.30%. I assume (without knowing) that Canadian limits are similar.

For reference, this is the label from a 17% Organic US feed - the very popular Kalmbach brand. Its one of the few exceptions to the low fat, 0.3% or less generalization above.

You can see how it makes it easier for us to be educated consumers - if we want to be.
Even so, we both have it better than our friends across the pond in the EU. Its VERY hard for them, the labels are almost worthless.

Yup, I’m in northern Canada in a pretty remote location, so I have 1 store and this is the only brand they sell, thankfully it’s worked for my flock for the past couple years, they have all been very happy healthy birds. The ingredients are on the back of the bags so I can definitely take a picture when I get home, if you don’t mind looking at that when you have a minute I can send it to you. I totally agree they make it so difficult to get any information for the perfect feed, I just want the best for my chickens but also at an affordable rate, thank you

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I'd be happy to look. It doesn't tell much, w/o the ratios, but sometimes you can identify the potential deficiencies based on the ingredients.

 

[shaileen]

I'd be happy to look. It doesn't tell much, w/o the ratios, but sometimes you can identify the potential deficiencies based on the ingredients.

Awesome thanks a bunch, I’m going to send you a message once I’m home