ration ideas

[oguzakyuz]

Hi All,

I would like to get your ration ideas given the list of ingredients that I can locally find (I live abroad so certain items, especially things like kelp, are not available here). Let me also state that I would like to feed my chickens primarily with a whole grain diet. We also provide them with various types of kitchen scraps. They have a total of 120 sq feet run, with its 40 sq feet sand and the remaining good quality soil (part of my garden where I grow my tomatoes in summer). I have 6 hens. I am planning ferment my feed.

Here is a list of items that I have:
- Wheat (not sure its type but I think it is red)
- Barley
- Rye
- Corn (whole)
- Hull-less oats
- Red lentils
- Green lentils
- Sesame seed
- Flax seed
- Sunflower seed (I have the variety for the Parakeet birds)
- Green peas (dried, whole)
- Hemp seed
- Chia seed
- Brewer's yeast (to be added just before feeding)
- Crushed oyster shells (to be provided in a separate container)

Given these, could anyone suggest me a good layer ration so that I provide them with the necessary nutrients.

Thanks for any help.
Oguz

 

[flowerbug]

I would just give them 1 part whole corn, 1 part peas, 1 part wheat, and add in about 1\6 a part BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) and give them each 1/2 cup in the mornings, and throw th some unfermented whole corn before bed (for your 6 I would thrown about 1 cup scattered in their grass in the run)

 

[flowerbug]

You can also sprout the corn, wheat, barley, and peas into wonderful fodder for them to help with feed costs (it turns 1 pound into 6 pounds in 7-14 days)

 

[oguzakyuz]

Thanks for the ideas. I assume I should sprout the grains indoors, right? Right next to a window perhaps?

 

[Titan Farm]

No matter how you mix the ingredients you listed your going to end up with a less than ideal feed and it will be a imbalanced diet for your chickens.

Your going to have to find a mixer or base mix that will add vitamins, minerals, and key amino acids that you need in your mix.

 

[Titan Farm]

I would just give them 1 part whole corn, 1 part peas, 1 part wheat, and add in about 1\6 a part BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) and give them each 1/2 cup in the mornings, and throw th some unfermented whole corn before bed (for your 6 I would thrown about 1 cup scattered in their grass in the run)

The mix that you recommend is less than ideal, in fact it is basically a fancy scratch grain. Plus offering corn at nigh only makes matters worse.

With out sitting down and running the math I would say that mix you recommended not only is low in proteins BUT also has the incorrect balance of amino acids, incorrect fat to protein ratio, incorrect calcium to phosphorus ratio, plus lacks important vitamins and minerals.

 

[flowerbug]

yes i would sprout them till they are 3 inches tall in a homemade fodder system near a sunny window it all the light they need water them twice a day in a drip style system gravity fed water it what i do

 

[RonP]

I have been studying nutritional needs...

Click here for a study I found interesting.

I think it might help.

 

[flowerbug]

I'll look at that too thanks RonP