Interesting read indeed! Though it would need to be cross checked on some things, I learned quite a few things and will keep it bookmarked.I just found this article and I think you'll like it
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/techniques-in-feeding-your-flock-off-the-grid.74595/
Another factor that we often talk about with my partner, is that we believe those high production layer breeds have also been made much more sensitive to what they are fed. To fuel the laying machine you need those specific amounts of amino acids because other wise they will take what they need from their own body, at least in their first 18 months. Older breeds, backyard mixes from farms, could probably fare on whatever they were given without trouble, just maybe laying less.
Well I love the mill, what a wonderful place to go buy chicken feed! I think you're not doing too bad for the time being.@ManueB
We have about the same problems with feed here. They change from year to year.
- The pet shops are too expensive/have no organic.
- The farm store offers a variety of chicken feed. Also a good quality organic chicken feed the chickens like (only has too much calcium). And I am lucky its only 10 minutes by car or 15 by bike.
- The old mill in my town is even closer. Its an organic grain and meals shop too. Its great to make you’re own bread. It sells only one brand organic chicken feed. The chickens don’t like the brand of laying pellets they sell nowadays and it has too much calcium too. The grain mix is not expensive / okay.
Link from wikimedia commons:
BTW
I love you’re landscape. MDH and me are still wondering where to go for a summer holliday.
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We have a lovely stereotype of dutch tourists : a small family, that goes camping, in a place with nature, some hills or mountains, a lake or a river. They bring all kind of camping equipment around, they have bikes attached to their cars and they go to bed early and don't make noise. A few years ago they also went bathing in nudist sites and drove in a vw bus. The nicest tourists to have around!