Question about Whole Grains

[Miss Lydia]

I have had the hardest time getting my feed store to look into getting me wheat to feed my flock they carry whole oats which I have bought from them, So today when I went in to buy FR I asked again about wheat and if they could order for me. well they look at me like I'm nuts, the owner says they have wheat in 50lb bags in the back but doesn't know if it's treated or not and says again he'll check for me before I come back for more feed. It's not with the feed it's over with the stuff for growing. so is this what I am looking for? I wasn't sure if wheat you buy to plant is the same as what is fed to water fowl or not. In other words I don't want to buy treated wheat like they do grass seed. This is the only feed store with in a 50 mile round trip from me, other than TSC and I was there last Friday and they don't carry it either. I have been buying wheat and barley from the grocery store in the bulk bins but it pretty expensive doing it that way. advice?

 

[Tivona]

Have you seen the bag? Any info on brand, item numbers, etc might make it possible to search/see if its untreated. The only other thing I can think of is, is it whole wheat berries? If its rolled, shattered or otherwise broken down I would think it would have to be for feed.

I do agree with you that its very important to make sure its untreated. Seed for planting could be dangerous for the birds with the fungicides, pesticides and plant hormones they sometimes add to planting seeds.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Have you seen the bag? Any info on brand, item numbers, etc might make it possible to search/see if its untreated. The only other thing I can think of is, is it whole wheat berries? If its rolled, shattered or otherwise broken down I would think it would have to be for feed.

I do agree with you that its very important to make sure its untreated. Seed for planting could be dangerous for the birds with the fungicides, pesticides and plant hormones they sometimes add to planting seeds.

I did not look at the bag because the other fellow who loads said it doesn't say one way or the other. But before I pay 19.00 for a 50lb bag i want to be sure.

 

[Going Bhonkers]

I'm surprised they dont carry wheat for feed, I mean, arent there other livestock animals that eat it too?

 

[Narragansett]

It's very difficult to find in my area too. It's good feed if it's available, but there are plenty of alternatives. If it's not readily available and affordable, it's not worth it. I've fed wheat for about 5 of my 30 plus years in breeding geese, and there are plenty of other breeders who no longer or or who have never used it either, who are also successful and have healthy birds.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm surprised they dont carry wheat for feed, I mean, arent there other livestock animals that eat it too?

They all looked very puzzled when I asked them about it. I know alot of folks in this area have horses and cows, but their are chicken/geese people too but don't know to what degree. I will say alot of old timers still think scratch grains is the only feed there is.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It's very difficult to find in my area too. It's good feed if it's available, but there are plenty of alternatives. If it's not readily available and affordable, it's not worth it. I've fed wheat for about 5 of my 30 plus years in breeding geese, and there are plenty of other breeders who no longer or or who have never used it either, who are also successful and have healthy birds.

Good to know, since yesterday Purina FR was 20.00 a 50lb bag, I know I can get whole oats from this feed store so i have been using that too, also asked about grass hay[Timothy] and he said he carries 45lb bales cut up grass hay for horses so can I use this for winter supplement when the geese and the rest of the flock don't have grass to eat?

 

[1MrsMagoo]

I found a local brand of feed wheat that is produced in Bouge Chitto, MS by Gatlin Feeds. It is called Dove Wheat and is $10.85 for a 50# bag. Apparently, wheat is used as an attractant for Dove hunting, so wheat sold for that purpose will not be treated since it will be eaten by an animal for human consumption.

It is a bummer your local feed store will not order things for you. I have had that problem for the past two years running. However, I have been giving most of my business to one feed store for quite some time and just this week when they were out of Wheat Bran, which I need for my mealworm farm, they OFFERED to order it for me. I have begged in the past and suddenly they have softened up. The loading/warehouse guys said that business has slowed due to the feed prices and that they are happy to have and keep my business (I have LARGE orders every month).

Maybe if you are persistent they will change their minds. So long as whatever you are requesting doesn't require them to buy a minimum order, like a whole pallet: Some items are only sold in multiple units like that.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I will ask about Dove wheat. Thank you. They already look at me like I'm nuts can't wait to see their reaction when asked about this, Alot of hunters around here though.

 

[Iain Utah]

Lydia, when I spoke with Holderread last year about feeding, I was told to feed my geese pretty much what I feed my horses, ie grass hay, oats, barley & whole kernel corn. Wheat was never mentioned. 80% of their diet is grass or grass hay, and for grain I use 40% FR, 40% oats and 20% corn. They all do quite well on this feeding program.

My avian specialist dvm (who is coming to my house this morning) has been working up a flock management & feeding program for me.... he says he is excited to go over everything with me when he gets here. I'll be sure to provide a full report afterwards.