Texas

[ATXInstantFlock]

Excess calcium during the formative months (hatchling/adolescent) is substantially more damaging and has greater long term health consequences.

Thanks, will make a mental note of this advice!
Some will probably say this is an excessive amount of effort to spend on an unwanted roo. As much as we didn't plan on having a roo, he is here. So if we keep him, I'm going to do my best to take care of him, and try to do it right. If I ever lose the energy to do it, it's gonna be farm or freezer.

We've been giving them chilled vegetable and fruit scraps to try and help them manage these hot temperatures and reduce our household solid waste generation, but we definitely can't count on that for much of their nutrition.
I can't really free range and/or feel comfortable doing so here, so their feed is going to be 95+% of their nutrition.

P.S. @U_Stormcrow , I greatly appreciate the advice and manner in which you give it. I wish more people I met in daily life were like you and the majority of the nice folks here on BYC. I'm here to get the facts and be entertained by the amazing world around us, and use that to inform my own decisions. Hopefully, one day I'll be able to share some of that knowledge back to the newbies that come after me, as well.

 

[ATXInstantFlock]

So I think I spoke too soon when I said there are no feed mills around me. I stumbled across Livengood Feeds, and it's located in Lockhart which is just over an hour away. Callahan's also carries their feed (probably about the same distance as TSC from my house).

Anyone have experience with their feed?

 

[janiedoe]

So I think I spoke too soon when I said there are no feed mills around me. I stumbled across Livengood Feeds, and it's located in Lockhart which is just over an hour away. Callahan's also carries their feed (probably about the same distance as TSC from my house).

Anyone have experience with their feed?

I have not, but I Used to use Bryant Grain Co (out of Aledo, TX) feed until our local feed store switched to another brand. I really liked Bryant feeds. Just letting you know in case there is a seller nearby.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

P.S. @U_Stormcrow , I greatly appreciate the advice and manner in which you give it. I wish more people I met in daily life were like you and the majority of the nice folks here on BYC. I'm here to get the facts and be entertained by the amazing world around us, and use that to inform my own decisions. Hopefully, one day I'll be able to share some of that knowledge back to the newbies that come after me, as well.

You are entirely too kind. I do get a warning from time to time here on BYC, you've caught me during one of my more socially acceptable/appropriate phases. I've been curt, "biting", and dismissive in my responses on occasion and been appropriately reminded this isn't the place for that.

Certain you will be paying it back/paying it forward to new members in the near future - I've only been at this a couple years.

My advice is to focus on some portion of chicken keeping that you are really passionate about and grow your knowledge from there. Illness/Injury, Feeding, Coop Management and/or Design, Breed Standards, Genetics, Chickens & the Law, whatever. Doesn't take much time invested and you can answer the common questions w/ authority. None of us do all of it, which allows each of us to appear more knowledgeable than we actually are within our areas of specialization.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

So I think I spoke too soon when I said there are no feed mills around me. I stumbled across Livengood Feeds, and it's located in Lockhart which is just over an hour away. Callahan's also carries their feed (probably about the same distance as TSC from my house).

Anyone have experience with their feed?

I haven't, I didn't have chickens when I lived in Texas. You should have West Feeds available too - LOTS of dealers in the Austin area - but they aren't active in the Organic space. They seem to be focused on the low cost/bulk feed/larger flock size segment. Callahan's carries West if you happen to be there looking at the other brand - though I always got the impression you paid a premium to buy from Callahans, solely because Callahans is famous for being Callahans...

That impression could be completely wrong. I don't believe I ever entered the store.

 

[ATXInstantFlock]

Callahan's carries West if you happen to be there looking at the other brand - though I always got the impression you paid a premium to buy from Callahans, solely because Callahans is famous for being Callahans...

It's funny you say that, because I was thinking the same thing. After a cursory glance at their online store, they sell 50# bags of non organic for under $20 and organic for ~$0.80-1/#. That seems roughly with what I pay at TSC, sans the TSC credit card discount.
I tried emailing the folks at Livengood to see if they would send me some recommendations and some nutritional labels. We'll see what they say.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

You are entirely too kind. I do get a warning from time to time here on BYC, you've caught me during one of my more socially acceptable/appropriate phases. I've been curt, "biting", and dismissive in my responses on occasion and been appropriately reminded this isn't the place for that

That isn't necessarily a bad thing, being straight and to the point, IMO, is a trait we need more of, which is why I tagged you

 

[U_Stormcrow]

That isn't necessarily a bad thing, being straight and to the point, IMO, is a trait we need more of, which is why I tagged you

TY for inviting me to this conversation - I'd have missed it otherwise. Don't get a chance to visit ever day wth the new work schedule.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

TY for inviting me to this conversation - I'd have missed it otherwise. Don't get a chance to visit ever day wth the new work schedule.

You are very welcome! I value your knowledge, and you know your sh!t! Thank you!

 

[ATXInstantFlock]

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Angela's productivity has earned everyone some frozen watermelon!

Just kidding! They would have gotten the watermelon anyway.