The Frugal Small Flock SOP Breeder

[LeslieDJoyce]

We are having a time find some reasonable corn-free and soy-free feed that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to get.

My husband brought home some H&H Feed the other day... They have it at Livengoods, so we'll see. Apparently, he had a conversation with a guy who feeds several hundred chickens this stuff, and the guy said you'll be able to immediately taste the difference in the eggs.

http://handhsoyfreenongmofeed.com/ <-- There is the link. About to check it out myself!

The one downside, the guy said, is that your chickens won't want any other feed. I opened the bag, and it looks like a cross between breakfast granola and tail mix. I almost had some today to test it out! It's 19%. We're working through our last bag of whatever we got from TSC before switching.

Our girls also get regular servings of squash, pumpkin and various gourds as well as whatever "chicken salad" - the name my husband has lovingly given the huge green bowl where I toss all my green tops and veggie garbage - has accrued from meal prep. Spoiled things!!!

MrsB

That might be the one company I found that does independent testing of their ingredients instead of relying on third-party certification ... would have to dig around in their website to verify that.

 

[MrsBrooke]

That might be the one company I found that does independent testing of their ingredients instead of relying on third-party certification ... would have to dig around in their website to verify that.

They are out of Austin, TX in the Hill Country. It seems they pride themselves on their ingredients... I feel like they might be a small mill unto themselves that orders whatever grains to make their own chicken/goat/pig feed. It looks safe for human consumption, so I feel pretty confident about feeding it to my birds.

MrsB

 

[3riverschick]

We are having a time find some reasonable corn-free and soy-free feed that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to get.

My husband brought home some H&H Feed the other day... They have it at Livengoods, so we'll see. Apparently, he had a conversation with a guy who feeds several hundred chickens this stuff, and the guy said you'll be able to immediately taste the difference in the eggs.

http://handhsoyfreenongmofeed.com/ <-- There is the link. About to check it out myself!


MrsB

I've known April Howington for years. Met her when we had Marans. A very nice lady with some real nice
Marans birds. I remember back then she was always the advocate for best feeding.
Best,
Karen

 

[MrsBrooke]

I've known April Howington for years. Met her when we had Marans. A very nice lady with some real nice
Marans birds. I remember back then she was always the advocate for best feeding.
Best,
Karen

A brilliant endorsement. I am growing more and more confident in our choice to switch to this feed soon. Thanks!

MrsB

 

[neopolitancrazy]

They are out of Austin, TX in the Hill Country. It seems they pride themselves on their ingredients... I feel like they might be a small mill unto themselves that orders whatever grains to make their own chicken/goat/pig feed. It looks safe for human consumption, so I feel pretty confident about feeding it to my birds.

MrsB

Actually, I believe the feed is milled in Hamilton, not Austin. I used H&H last year, but switched after they drastically dropped the methionine percentage last year, when I was having dreadful hatches.

 

[3riverschick]

Well, I finally have the lowdown on this crumble feed search. I used the Net and searched fro Cargill because Agway told me they thought Cargill made the Agway 22% Meatbird crumbles. I called Cargill and ( surprise!) I got Nutrena/Naturewise. Ok, so their "sister product" to the Agway is their Naturewise Meatbird 22%. Ok, so now I had to find it. I went to TSC today and they had Naturewise formulas in 16%, 17% and 18% but not the Meatbird 22%. So I asked the guy if he could order it. Not on their order sheet he said, Let me call them. So he calls Naturewise and ( surprise!) gets Cargill. Now I am waiting till he calls me back to find out if they can order it for me at TSC.
Hum, Life goes on.
Best,
Karen

 

[MrsBrooke]

Well, I finally have the lowdown on this crumble feed search. I used the Net and searched fro Cargill because Agway told me they thought Cargill made the Agway 22% Meatbird crumbles. I called Cargill and ( surprise!) I got Nutrena/Naturewise. Ok, so their "sister product" to the Agway is their Naturewise Meatbird 22%. Ok, so now I had to find it. I went to TSC today and they had Naturewise formulas in 16%, 17% and 18% but not the Meatbird 22%. So I asked the guy if he could order it. Not on their order sheet he said, Let me call them. So he calls Naturewise and ( surprise!) gets Cargill. Now I am waiting till he calls me back to find out if they can order it for me at TSC.
Hum, Life goes on.
Best,
Karen

When everyone has an answer, no one does.

Good luck, and I eagerly await your findings.

MrsB

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

That all sounds SO familiar!

 

[chicken pickin]

Following!

 

[LindaB220]

Well, I finally have the lowdown on this crumble feed search. I used the Net and searched fro Cargill because Agway told me they thought Cargill made the Agway 22% Meatbird crumbles. I called Cargill and ( surprise!) I got Nutrena/Naturewise. Ok, so their "sister product" to the Agway is their Naturewise Meatbird 22%. Ok, so now I had to find it. I went to TSC today and they had Naturewise formulas in 16%, 17% and 18% but not the Meatbird 22%. So I asked the guy if he could order it. Not on their order sheet he said, Let me call them. So he calls Naturewise and ( surprise!) gets Cargill. Now I am waiting till he calls me back to find out if they can order it for me at TSC.
Hum, Life goes on.
Best,
Karen

I research the site and found a local place for me. Five minutes away. I hope I can get the 22%. Maybe they can order it for me.