Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[Mahlzeit]

That's too rich for my blood lol

 

[JerseyHen]

That's too rich for my blood lol

That is why I am going to bulk. The less expensive stuff at the mom and pop by my house is running 15 a bag. It is too much when I am not getting eggs from a good bunch of them from October until February. Lazy ladies I have... makes them about $4 - 5 a dozen my cost... before housing, medical needs, feeders, bedding, etc... it is bulk feed or I have to decide how to "retire" my older hens that are just taking up space now. I have 4 or 5 that went from being broody to molting to not laying due to lack of light... I have 1 that I don't think has ever laid an egg and I have about 8 or so that are now past prime. Those original birds have a lifetime pass here though since they are more like pets. The new ones need to earn their keep.

Speaking of earning keep. The cream legbars that Toxic sent me this year started to lay today! Beautiful chalk blue/green egg. Very nice. They are such cool looking birds too.

 

[lindychick]

...

The purina feed is expensive isn't it? How much per 50lb bag if you don't mind me asking?
[/quote
At neptune purina is about 24-26$ per bag. A little cheaper at shirley feed. I'm not a purina person, not saying it's bad I'm just not a fan.The southern states is about $17 for fifty pounds for layer. The nutrena feather fixer is 17.50 for 50 lbs. the feather fixer is something new I think at least new for neptune to carry. It's to help with molt and also to help with mites. You can feed all year not just at molt. The feathers on my girls are gorgeous and I've been using it for about 2 months.

 

[lindychick]

I don't feed organic. Once you feed them anything not labeled organic the eggs aren organic anymore. Mine get leftover bread veggies and hay from my horses.

 

[JerseyHen]

I haven't been feeding organic either. Mine forage like crazy and my neighbors all feed them scraps, so I have no control over what they get into anymore. They make the rounds from one house to the next until they circle back. It is funny to see. It started because one of my neighbors wanted them to sweep through the yard to get the ticks and grasshoppers and such. Now it is a daily migration. At least it means they all like having them around.

 

[Mahlzeit]

I feed the regular nutrena at $13.75 a bag at the agway in riverhead. My parents also own a deli and all the scraps get put into a bucket and fed to the chickens. When they see that white bucket they come running. I've never wanted to go the organic route with my chickens really not worth it.

 

[irischick]

I don't feed organic. Once you feed them anything not labeled organic the eggs aren organic anymore. Mine get leftover bread veggies and hay from my horses.

We have tried to go organic with ours, but what your saying makes total sense. The scraps we feed them aren't organic, so there you go. Thanks for the tidbit - really makes you think. LOL

 

[irischick]

I buy my feed at Neptune feed in Calverton area. I'm already buying horse grain anyway there, my horses are in Manorville. They have purina and southern states feed. Shirley feed in Shirley on Montauk highway carries, purina, blue seal feed and nutrena usually. I don't go in there much if find the place a lil creepy.

irischick- did you get the rainbow layer surprise special from McMurray. That's where I got mine from. My exotic is my roo I think. mostly got brown leghorns some EE, 3 white leghorns and 1 golden comet. Mr. roo was brought inside today crowing better and louder. He's such a nice big respectful boy I hate to part with him. I think I may have an indoor friend now.

Hi Lindy, no we split an order with a neighbor. Funny thing is I only wanted 8 or 9 but he put in an order for 2 dozen. Only a few of the breeds I wanted were available so Brian ordered "good layers". When the little buggers arrived it was a very colorful arrangement. We split up the order so we each had a few of the different varieties. However, I gave him all the leghorns. I now have 16 lol. I love my flock. They are so pretty spread across the yard.

 

[Lapeerian]

The nutrena feather fixer is 17.50 for 50 lbs. the feather fixer is something new I think at least new for neptune to carry. It's to help with molt and also to help with mites. You can feed all year not just at molt. The feathers on my girls are gorgeous and I've been using it for about 2 months.

Actually, the Feather Fixer is only 40#. I tried a bag of it when they had coupons to try it at CountryMax. But it worked out more expensive per pound compared to the 50# feed I use. I'm upstate, so can't help with feed stores. But my feed choice has been Agway brand Hearty Hen. It is higher protein than regular layer, but not as high as Feather Fixer. And during this slow laying season, we mix in regular Agway Layer that is cheaper.

 

[lindychick]

Actually, the Feather Fixer is only 40#. I tried a bag of it when they had coupons to try it at CountryMax. But it worked out more expensive per pound compared to the 50# feed I use. I'm upstate, so can't help with feed stores. But my feed choice has been Agway brand Hearty Hen. It is higher protein than regular layer, but not as high as Feather Fixer. And during this slow laying season, we mix in regular Agway Layer that is cheaper.

Sorry I didn't realize the weight of the feather fixer. I've been giving it as an extra protein supplement for the cold. Trying to farm mealworms , it's just a slow process. I've heard agway feed is very good. I was thinking of switching since again I'm already out there. Sometimes I'm neptunes guinea pig with new products they're trying to launch for the chickens. They mostly do horse feed & exotic feed. They supply Madonna stables with feed and the cole bros circus when they come to town.