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Lancaster County (Elizabethtown, so almost Dauphin County as well).

We've been raising layers for about 10 years now. Currently down to 7 hens (3-5 eggs a day) and I have 6 more coming in 2 weeks so we can rotate in a new flock as the older ones age out. We'll probably add 6 layers to the flock each year just to keep a constant flow of eggs.

I've been dealing with a local mill for my layer feed needs. Venturing into raising Cornish Crosses starting this week. 5 of us are going in on a batch of 65 to see how it goes. Do any of you raise small batches of broilers? I'm in need of 450# of broiler starter feed for a batch of CX's I'm picking up on Tuesday. I ordered a 50# bag from a local mill but they gave me Layer Meal and with all the lockdown stuff I'm not able to go into the mill & have to order over the phone. When I called to pick up the feed last week I told the lady that I wanted broiler starter and she seemed confused - that's how I ended up with Layer Meal. I don't want to feed heavily medicated layer feed to the broilers. Do any of you know of a mill that sells smaller quantities of broiler feed in the Lancaster/Lebanon/Dauphin county area? I can't take a direct bulk delivery (4000#) so I have to pick up 50# bags

Thanks
Jeremy
 
Jejahess said:
Lancaster County (Elizabethtown, so almost Dauphin County as well).

We've been raising layers for about 10 years now. Currently down to 7 hens (3-5 eggs a day) and I have 6 more coming in 2 weeks so we can rotate in a new flock as the older ones age out. We'll probably add 6 layers to the flock each year just to keep a constant flow of eggs.

I've been dealing with a local mill for my layer feed needs. Venturing into raising Cornish Crosses starting this week. 5 of us are going in on a batch of 65 to see how it goes. Do any of you raise small batches of broilers? I'm in need of 450# of broiler starter feed for a batch of CX's I'm picking up on Tuesday. I ordered a 50# bag from a local mill but they gave me Layer Meal and with all the lockdown stuff I'm not able to go into the mill & have to order over the phone. When I called to pick up the feed last week I told the lady that I wanted broiler starter and she seemed confused - that's how I ended up with Layer Meal. I don't want to feed heavily medicated layer feed to the broilers. Do any of you know of a mill that sells smaller quantities of broiler feed in the Lancaster/Lebanon/Dauphin county area? I can't take a direct bulk delivery (4000#) so I have to pick up 50# bags

Thanks
Jeremy
Click to expand...

I can't help with local sources to you but when I raised broilers I bought game bird starter at TSC, if I recall it was over 24% protein and worked quite well. Maybe they would recognize the needs if you tried to order game bird starter or if you ordered based on protein percentage. Seems odd that a feed mill wouldn't be familiar with different protein needs for different bird types. I would call back and ask to speak to someone else. Maybe the other lady was new or just a clerk person who has no experience with animal nutrition needs.
 
fisherlady said:
I can't help with local sources to you but when I raised broilers I bought game bird starter at TSC, if I recall it was over 24% protein and worked quite well. Maybe they would recognize the needs if you tried to order game bird starter or if you ordered based on protein percentage. Seems odd that a feed mill wouldn't be familiar with different protein needs for different bird types. I would call back and ask to speak to someone else. Maybe the other lady was new or just a clerk person who has no experience with animal nutrition needs.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking about game bird starter, and I believe they do carry that in 50# bags. I'm just not sure of the consistency (small enough for 2 day old chicks?). The meal is only 16-19% protein, so lower than I'd like. Did you feed the game feed for the whole lifespan of the bird or switch to something to finish?

Yeah, with all these changes the last 2 weeks I'm having a hard time getting in touch with my regular contact at the mill. I just chalk this up to learning something new.
 
I remember having trouble getting feed for my turkeys. Sad, but true, feed stores hire ignorant people. Sometimes it is a son or a niece. Sometimes you wonder if you are the ignorant one. Call it gamebird feed, meat bird or "for crying out loud!! Anything over 22%!! You have to have crumble or mash over 22%!!!!" : D
Higher Percentage feeds are rarely in pellet form, but you can always grind it in the blender, or add water to it. Meat birds will stay on the high percentage chick feed their entire 10-ish week lives.
 
BullChick said:
More testing, or people that won’t stay home?
Click to expand...

People absolutely won't stay home. It's frustrating. Even in our little town, it doesn't look like anything has changed and now, at work, they've created a queve line to get in and will be limiting how many people can be in the store at a time and no kids. It will be safer for us but I worry about the people waiting in line to get in. I know they won't be standing 6 feet apart! They will be checking Our temperatures every morning on Our way in too and if we're at 100 , or above we will be sent home. That concerns me slightly as I have a naturally warm body temperature. Our newest neighbors that bought the cabin next to us are from Lancaster area and are still coming the whole way out here every other weekend too. Please People! Stay home!

I don't think i posted this here yet but one of my Etsy customers messaged me the other day and asked if I could make face masks for their family...i told them i could try it. This is what DH and I came up with...

1585999899584-604.jpg


I've shortened the sides a little but they are ecstatic. They want to order 3 "to start" then more for their friends and extended family. My workstation has suddenly put a dramatic halt on saddles and now has face masks galore! My aunt told my grandma who now wants 3 and DH's brother wants for his family lol. Today while I'm at work, DH and the kids will be cutting out more patterns lol
 
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@OneMountainAcres
I'll take 6! LOL... color doesn't matter 😁
In other news, we have someone else coming for 3 hens today, that finishes off our extra layer, so now down to chicks and a handful of teens. Glad our numbers are getting down and so is the feed bill!
My work hours are increasing, with 5 employees off on quarantine our normal schedules are out the window.

Anyone have an email for @AnneInTheBurbs ? Need to get in touch with her, hoping all is ok.
 
So we put 5 hens in our unused meaty pen last night so the fellow could choose the 3 he or his daughter liked the best.... and he decided he wanted all 5.
I am at work, hubby just texted me. I told him no more hen sales if anyone asks. Coops are going to look empty!

But I am going to get 2 dozen hatching eggs in morning to refresh our Barred and White rock flock numbers, so maybe by summer we will be back to normal flock. And we have 2 new broodies sitting.
 
Jejahess said:
Lancaster County (Elizabethtown, so almost Dauphin County as well).

We've been raising layers for about 10 years now. Currently down to 7 hens (3-5 eggs a day) and I have 6 more coming in 2 weeks so we can rotate in a new flock as the older ones age out. We'll probably add 6 layers to the flock each year just to keep a constant flow of eggs.

I've been dealing with a local mill for my layer feed needs. Venturing into raising Cornish Crosses starting this week. 5 of us are going in on a batch of 65 to see how it goes. Do any of you raise small batches of broilers? I'm in need of 450# of broiler starter feed for a batch of CX's I'm picking up on Tuesday. I ordered a 50# bag from a local mill but they gave me Layer Meal and with all the lockdown stuff I'm not able to go into the mill & have to order over the phone. When I called to pick up the feed last week I told the lady that I wanted broiler starter and she seemed confused - that's how I ended up with Layer Meal. I don't want to feed heavily medicated layer feed to the broilers. Do any of you know of a mill that sells smaller quantities of broiler feed in the Lancaster/Lebanon/Dauphin county area? I can't take a direct bulk delivery (4000#) so I have to pick up 50# bags

Thanks
Jeremy
Click to expand...


I sent you a message.
 

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