$$ The Cost of Feed $$

[Pine Grove]

Pharr have you ever tried Mid South feeds in Alma? by the way I'm in Lanier county

 

[hinkjc]

I got a free bag of feed from a nearby grain mill, just to sample it to see if we like it and the birds like it. It had way too much corn in it in my opinion and was much dustier than the other bagged feed we've been buying. My chickens didn't care for it either and a lot went to waste. I think using the extra corn is why they offer it cheaper and corn has little nutritional value for the chickens. That was my experience, but if yours is good and working for your flock, then you found a great deal.

Jody

 

[MissPrissy]

The feed I am now getting meets or exceeds the protein and other nutritional values of the over priced feed from TSC, Feed Store and Co-Op.

Scratch grains with added corn for bulk is not in my price comparison this time although it is cheaper from the grainery. The corn content looks to be the same as any other brand.

My chickens get a varied and wide diet and I do not use scratch grains or corn very often in warm months. I only feed those in the cooler months when the heat generated by their bodies is an actual benefit.

I am always amazed at the price differences across the country. I have cut my feed bills in half and have not scrimped on the nutritional factor in any way. It is a win win situation for me.

 

[MayberrySaint]

One thing to keep in mind when comparing feed produced by local mills is the physical properties of the feed. Most local mills (gins in Virginia... only have a grind and mix feed. The corn, soybean meal, etc. are put through a grinder (roller or hammer mill) and then a mixer. This is a very cheap process and accounts for the lower cost of the feed. TSC, Southern States, AGway, Co-ops, etc. receive their feed from larger mills and that feed is processed completely differently. Larger mills grind and mix their feeds but then they go through a pelleting process. Steam is added to the mix and then the feed is pressed through a pellet mill at high pressures. The heat helps the feed ingredients make the nutrition more accessible. After the feed is pelleted, many times it is then passed through a series of knives that cut up the pellet and make it into crumbles. Bottom line, the feed from a larger mill is more processed and the protein, energy, vitamins and minerals are more digestible than feed from a smaller mill (grind and mix). The result is the feed efficiency is better on processed feeds (lb. feed per doz. eggs produced). Either way is OK, but keep in mind that even though the label says the protein levels are similar, the animals ability to digest and utilize the feeds are not the same. Research done at universities as well as feed companies have shown that processed feeds (pellets or crumbles) are more beneficial and cost-effective than grind and mix rations. However, for the typical backyard flock, it probably doesn't make much difference.

PS...Protein levels only tell a small part of the story. I can create a very cheap feed that is 16% protein (low amino acids) or a very expensive ration that is 16% protein (high amino acids). The key thing is the amino acid make-up of the protein levels. Lysine is the key limiting amino acid in the protein of poultry feeds. Always compare lysine levels when comparing feeds. It is legally supposed to be on the label of all commercial feeds.

 

[CutestChickenFarmer]

Go, Mayberry!

Great info, thanks so much for sharing.

Susan

 

[MissPrissy]

The grainery (they do not call them gins in Virginia) where I have begun purchasing feed at a much lower cost than other sources is a very large commercial grain mill that happens to be local to me

. Buying direct from the mill cuts out the middleman costs. I was merely suggesting that shopping around and paying close attn to resources available in our individual areas that good quality feeds can be purchased without costing a small mortgage every month.

 

[MayberrySaint]

I'm sure you have a good quality feed from your local mill. I was just providing info for others that may be tempted to purchase a cheaper ration. In our area I can pay $11.20 for a complete layer crumble or pellet from SS or a similar ration from TSC. On the other hand, there is a local mill that I can get a layer ration for about $16.00 per cwt. or $8.00 for a 50# bag. Unfortunately, it is a mash or grind-mix ration with similar protein levels on the label but not an adequate amino acid profile.
Using today's commodity prices, the ingredient cost of a good laying ration is $8.68 per 50#. This is direct from my ration formulation program I used to use in my corporate career. The cost to pellet and crumble a ration is approximately $.40 per 50# (to grind and mix about $.10 per 50#), so the total cost for the feed store or mill for a 50# bag would be about $9.08 plus a few cents for transportation and bagging. Therefore, if you are paying $11.50 per bag, the feed store is making about $2.40 profit. If a ration is being sold for less than about $10.00 per 50#, you have to question the ingredient make-up of the feed. They may be using bakery by-products or meat/bone meal as a protein source. As I stated earlier, I can create a very cheap ration with inferior products that would show 16% protein on the label. Unfortunately, the ability of the birds to digest the feed and utilize that protein would be limited and performance will suffer. Most commercial mills utilize the same ration program I have here and it is set to formulate a least-cost, average performance ration. Smaller mills typically do not have this software and may formulate a least-cost ration but may not be a good performing ration.
From an economic stand point, it is not important what you pay for feed, but rather what the feed cost per egg produced is. An example:

Producer A - $12.00 per bag - gets 12 dozen eggs (feed cost is $1.00 per dozen)
Producer B - $ 9.00 per bag - gets 8 dozen eggs (feed cost is $1.13 per dozen)

I'm sure most BYC enthusiasts don't care about such things, but with my training, it is hard for me to not look at every penny when it comes to my hobby.

 

[Crittercountry]

I'm kinda spoiled, since my parents own the feed store and I get a discount hehe but here's what I would pay if I didn't get the discount:

Purina start & grow - 50lb $12.95
Country Acres start & grow (when we're out of the purina) - 50lb - $10.71
5 grain scratch from a local mill - $7.50
Layena (purina) layer pellet - $12.00

 

[zbraswell92]

I am rather new to this part of Virginia. I have been here about 3 years and spent the previous almost 38 years in Georgia. Finding what I need up here has been a real chore. It is like everything up here is some giant secret and it must be discovered on your own because no one is telling anything.

We have purchased feed from TSC - and I was shocked at the price but we didn't have much choice at the time we needed it.

We have purchsed feed from a local feed and seed. The price was less than TSC but still very expensive.

We have also purchased feed from the local co-op but in my mind it was still over priced for what we were getting.

Until last week!

I was over in the neighboring county where they have a grain gin. Do you know where I am going with this?

Look around where you live and you can often come up with a huge price difference in the cost of your feeds for your livestock.

This is the cost comparison for starter and starter/grower in 50lbs-

chick starter TSC $13.64 Feed Store $12.24 Co-Op $11.75 Gin $8.04 (there is a 10 bag discount price too)

chick starter grower TSC $12.98 Feed Store $11.78 Co-Op $11.95 Gin $7.04 (there is a 10 bag discount price too)

I purchased in bulk several grains and got the bulk price.

My goat feed and sweet feed was almost half price at $6 and change for 50lb of feed and $8 and change for the sweet feed.

I brought home 800lbs of feed, 50lbs of grit and a few odd things from the store and spent under $90.

I can't believe the money we practically gave away to other places for feed.

In and around Atlanta, Georgia, the cheapest feed is $14.99/50lbs! I buy Nurena CF and it is $15.99/50lbs! I HATE living in Georgia. It's so over priced... EVERYTHING IS!
It makes me sick seeing people only having to pay $8 for 50lbs of feed!

 

[Intetdreamer]

Because you are replying to a post that is 5 years old, I manage an Agway in PA, we sell Southern States feed.

Layer is $15.65 per bag right now
starter/grower is $17.00 per bag.

This is the norm everywhere right now