The Middle Tennessee Thread

[Penny Hen]

Thank you!
They are through their molt and laying about 6 eggs each per week. Leghorns don't slow down much!

These are the first Leghorns that have really tempted me. I usually like the breeds with the smaller combs.

 

[cree57i]

Folks, I'm still very new to the forum and BYC. I live in smith county. Are there any Mennonite feed mills near us? I'm looking for a custom blend of feed that includes the following (all non-gmo of course):
Whole Cracked Corn
Whole roasted Soybeans
Whole rolled oats
Kelp (sea weed)
Fish meal
Fertrell Poultry Nutri-balancer

I'm moving from VA to TN, and going through the fun of bouncing back and forth right now trying to get the house in VA ready to sell and get the farm in TN ready for spring. I have a Mennonite family in the Shenandoah valley willing to deliver the mix i'm looking for, but shipping is 2/3 the cost of the feed. I'd welcome any thoughts on the subject...

Besides Tuckers, ordering from Amazon or driving to KY, the non-GMO feed I have found is from KNB Dairies. Brian Harville's recipe is not exactly what you have here. He does not use soy, but other protein sources. I'm sure he would be glad to speak with you about it. He also has the capacity to do custom blends too. His number is 615-473-1108. BTW, he now has a non-calcium recipe so the roosters are not forced to eat calcium enriched feed. Instead I use free choice calcium source. I got 9 dozen eggs this week in spite of the weather. It is $20/50#.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
Love Tuckers feed! There is a feed store in Lebanon Edwards Feed. I am sure they will make a custom mix but they have good feed too so I don't do custom mixes when I get their feed. Tuckers is Pork based not corn or soy for the protein and it is my preferred feed. Not sure if there is a feed store closer to you. @Raven1 maybe you know something closer.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
I am working on Rose Come Isabelle Leghorns, maybe by fall next year. Making splits right now.

 

[Raven1]

Edwards feed mill in Lebanon would be your best bet for custom feed. I use Tuckers Feed also.

 

[cree57i]

Love Tuckers feed! There is a feed store in Lebanon Edwards Feed. I am sure they will make a custom mix but they have good feed too so I don't do custom mixes when I get their feed. Tuckers is Pork based not corn or soy for the protein and it is my preferred feed. Not sure if there is a feed store closer to you. @Raven1 maybe you know something closer.

I've talked with Tim and Randy at Edwards about making a non-GMO several times. They don't have the necessary separate area and vats set up to have a non-GMO product. They can do custom blends, but they would not be non-GMO because they don't have the non-GMO ingredients or non-GMO area to begin with. Smith Co. Coop does have the ingredients and area set up and that is where Brian makes his non-GMO feed. We could really use more choices in this area. Tuckers IS non-GMO, but it is pelleted. My chickens are spoiled because they have been eating whole grain type feed for a year now. I tried Tuckers and they apparently decided they just weren't THAT hungry. Another feed concern I personally have is calcium in the roosters feed. Right now I have some roosters I would like to keep healthy a while. It is my understanding extra calcium is harmful to the roosters kidneys because they can't clear it or use it. Edwards does not have a non-calcium choice. Even the premium scratch has calcium added. I've talked to Tim and Randy about this too and they do not have any non-calcium options in their feeds. I think there is a mom and pop store in Lascassus that may have an additional non-GMO option. Bonnies used to carry Coyote Creek organic feed, but the last time I was there she didn't have it any longer. Hilands Natural is available in KY. at Rural King or through Amazon.

 

[rjohns39]

I've talked with Tim and Randy at Edwards about making a non-GMO several times. They don't have the necessary separate area and vats set up to have a non-GMO product. They can do custom blends, but they would not be non-GMO because they don't have the non-GMO ingredients or non-GMO area to begin with. Smith Co. Coop does have the ingredients and area set up and that is where Brian makes his non-GMO feed. We could really use more choices in this area. Tuckers IS non-GMO, but it is pelleted. My chickens are spoiled because they have been eating whole grain type feed for a year now. I tried Tuckers and they apparently decided they just weren't THAT hungry. Another feed concern I personally have is calcium in the roosters feed. Right now I have some roosters I would like to keep healthy a while. It is my understanding extra calcium is harmful to the roosters kidneys because they can't clear it or use it. Edwards does not have a non-calcium choice. Even the premium scratch has calcium added. I've talked to Tim and Randy about this too and they do not have any non-calcium options in their feeds. I think there is a mom and pop store in Lascassus that may have an additional non-GMO option. Bonnies used to carry Coyote Creek organic feed, but the last time I was there she didn't have it any longer. Hilands Natural is available in KY. at Rural King or through Amazon.

Thanks. Next time I'm there I'll stop by the coop and see what they can do. Maybe I can convince them to start carrying Fertrell as well. Two additional questions: Who does Brian talk to at the coop and Who is Brian? I need to figure this out by first of March as I plan on starting my chicks the first of April or so (is that too early for us?). Thanks again...

 

[cree57i]

Thanks. Next time I'm there I'll stop by the coop and see what they can do. Maybe I can convince them to start carrying Fertrell as well. Two additional questions: Who does Brian talk to at the coop and Who is Brian? I need to figure this out by first of March as I plan on starting my chicks the first of April or so (is that too early for us?). Thanks again...

It is the Smith Co. coop, not the Wilson Co. Wilson Co. coop laughed (literally) about non-Gmo concerns. I don't know who he works with at the coop. Brian Harville is a farmer who started feeding his own animals non-Gmo some time ago. He said to give his number and he will work with anyone to get them what they need. 615-473-1108. I know Smith Co. Coop/Brian have been in conversation with Fertrells, but don't know where that stands currently. He is just doing layer and scratch right now. Wish he was doing starter and grower. Good Luck and let us know what you find!

 

[rjohns39]

It is the Smith Co. coop, not the Wilson Co. Wilson Co. coop laughed (literally) about non-Gmo concerns. I don't know who he works with at the coop. Brian Harville is a farmer who started feeding his own animals non-Gmo some time ago. He said to give his number and he will work with anyone to get them what they need. 615-473-1108. I know Smith Co. Coop/Brian have been in conversation with Fertrells, but don't know where that stands currently. He is just doing layer and scratch right now. Wish he was doing starter and grower. Good Luck and let us know what you find!

Thanks so much. I'll give Brian a call right after the first of the year. Finally, the next to the last truckload heading south. I hate moving...

 

[DMRippy]

 


Love Tuckers feed!  There is a feed store in Lebanon Edwards Feed.  I am sure they will make a custom mix but they have good feed too so I don't do custom mixes when I get their feed.  Tuckers is Pork based not corn or soy for the protein and it is my preferred feed.  Not sure if there is a feed store closer to you.  @Raven1
maybe you know something closer.

I've talked with Tim and Randy at Edwards about making a non-GMO several times. They don't have the necessary separate area and vats set up to have a non-GMO product. They can do custom blends, but they would not be non-GMO because they don't have the non-GMO ingredients  or non-GMO area to begin with.  Smith Co. Coop does have the ingredients and area set up and that is where Brian makes his non-GMO feed. We could really use more choices in this area. Tuckers IS non-GMO, but it is pelleted. My chickens are spoiled because they have been eating whole grain type feed for a year now. I tried Tuckers and they apparently decided they just weren't THAT hungry. Another feed concern I personally have is calcium in the roosters feed. Right now I have some roosters I would like to keep healthy a while. It is my understanding extra calcium is harmful to the roosters kidneys because they can't clear it or use it. Edwards does not have a non-calcium choice. Even the premium scratch has calcium added. I've talked to Tim and Randy about this too and they do not have any non-calcium options in their feeds. I think there is a mom and pop store in Lascassus that may have an additional non-GMO option. Bonnies used to carry  Coyote Creek organic feed, but the last time I was there she didn't have it any longer. Hilands Natural is available in KY. at Rural King or through Amazon. 

I don't think ALL Tuckers is non GMO. They have non GMO available. Edwards has pullet grower and broiler starter those shouldn't have much if any calcium. I would think ALL feed would have some calcium....they probably need small amounts to keep bones strong. BUT I am no help with non GMO feed. I don't use it.