The Old Folks Home

[Highcotton]

i was waiting for geese poop on the sheets

Yes!

 

[Arielle]

Fish meal is high protein--so only a small amt is needed for the chickens as a percent of their total ration. As I remember, Ron's recommendations are in the right ball park. I remember 15% as the max and more than that then the fishy flavor comes thru.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That was the assertion of the poultry nutritionist.

I've had fishmeal that was 66% protein. The fishmeal I currently have is 60% protein. It doesn't take much to bump up 16% feed to 20%.
My feed is also 6% fat, 2% fiber, 3% phosphorus, 7.5% calcium so there are other things to consider.
It wouldn't take a lot to have excessive calcium. Another reason to limit it.

ETA
So important to read and understand labels for guaranteed analysis and ingredients.

 

[ozexpat]

Remember the feed label we were shown aleady had more than enough protein if fed as a sole feed. If the birds get to free range - the animal protein they get from bugs may be enough.

Fish meal has 44g calcium per kilo - 4.4%. Its not significant if you are adding 5% to top up feed.

In my humble opinion you are better off with lower calcium flock feed and adding free oyster shells than using layer feed for all your birds and not worrying about the calcium in fish meal.

The best thing is the iron. It has 15x the iron of corn and 3x of field peas - often used as an alternative to soy in the non-gmo movement.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I totally agree on Oyster shell as the preferred source of calcium.

I just read my fish label for calcium it says min. 6.5% max. 7.8%. I imagine it would depend on the ratio of bone in the fish.

 

[ozexpat]

I totally agree on Oyster shell as the preferred source of calcium.

I just read my fish label for calcium it says min. 6.5% max. 7.8%. I imagine it would depend on the ratio of bone in the fish.

indeed - every supplier is different

mine comes from the tuna fishing hub in General Santos, Mindanao

 

[ozexpat]

This site is a great resource http://www.feedipedia.org/

 

[chickadoodles]

This site is a great resource http://www.feedipedia.org/

Great site Oz thanks for sharing!

 

[chickisoup]

Quote: me three! I loved it!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Daughter's update.
~~Took a motorbike lesson today, heading out in the morning to some waterfalls! — in Pai, Thailand.