Thoughts on Scratch & Peck food... worth the price?

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I think S&P is overpriced for what it is nutritionally - but it targets a market segment I'm not in (and generally feel the whole segment is an overpriced niche feed - take that for what its worth). If there is a comparable Kalmbach product (like this one) it is probably nutritionally superior and likely cheaper thru Chewy [assuming shipping doesn't kill you]. There are ways to get free shipping from them on many products.

I have the benefit of good local mills, and don't currently use any of the national brands, though I have in the past.

(For reference, my obviously not organic, ingredients are "rather uncertain" local mill layer feed is just under $0.24/lb ($11.80 / 50# bag). My other local mill has a slightly upmarket non-GMO layer feed with somewhat more certain ingredients I can get for around $15/50# bag).

I looked at the Kalmbach feed that you link (thank you for that). I'm not a huge fan of Corn being the first ingredient, along with it having seed oils that I don't like high on the ingredient list. I also like how S&P has animal protein (Black soldier fly larvae) in it. I am no nutritionist, so I will ask you this: what makes this feed better than S&P layer pellets?

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I personally think it's overpriced for what it is but the organic label isn't a plus to me. I pay about 24 bucks for a 50lb bag of kalmbach flock raiser pellets which has overall better nutrition

That said, you could do worse, it's pretty much a basic layer feed, just a really expensive one

Thank you for the advice!

 

[DucksQuackMeUp]

I think S&P is overpriced for what it is nutritionally - but it targets a market segment I'm not in (and generally feel the whole segment is an overpriced niche feed - take that for what its worth). If there is a comparable Kalmbach product (like this one) it is probably nutritionally superior and likely cheaper thru Chewy [assuming shipping doesn't kill you]. There are ways to get free shipping from them on many products.

I have the benefit of good local mills, and don't currently use any of the national brands, though I have in the past.

(For reference, my obviously not organic, ingredients are "rather uncertain" local mill layer feed is just under $0.24/lb ($11.80 / 50# bag). My other local mill has a slightly upmarket non-GMO layer feed with somewhat more certain ingredients I can get for around $15/50# bag).

That's awesome you have the benefit of local mills. I will have to research my area and see if there any around me.

 

[NatJ]

my 44 birds, eating 1/2 cup or 1/4 pound per day, I would need 11 pounds per week. if my math is correct. My Dad was a mathematician, but that gene osmosed into my kids.

Your math is not quite right.
I get:
1/4 pound per bird
44 birds
11 pounds per day
77 pounds per week

Or if you want the big scary number, 365 * 11 = 4015 pounds per year.

(No experience with the feed you are asking about, no opinion on whether you would consider it worth the cost.)

 

[DucksQuackMeUp]

You math is not quite right.
I get:
1/4 pound per bird
44 birds
11 pounds per day
77 pounds per week

Or if you want the big scary number, 365 * 11 = 4015 pounds per year.

(No experience with the feed you are asking about, no opinion on whether you would consider it worth the cost.)

Ha Ha! My math is Soooo bad. Yikes! 11 pounds a day? I had this all wrong. Okay, back to the scratch pad. No pun intended.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I looked at the Kalmbach feed that you link (thank you for that). I'm not a huge fan of Corn being the first ingredient, along with it having seed oils that I don't like high on the ingredient list. I also like how S&P has animal protein (Black soldier fly larvae) in it. I am no nutritionist, so I will ask you this: what makes this feed better than S&P layer pellets?

Its getting late. I will try and answer this (with a train analogy) tomorrow before work - if I get up soon enough. Have to head to the hardware store to finish a home repair project before bed.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Its getting late. I will try and answer this (with a train analogy) tomorrow before work - if I get up soon enough. Have to head to the hardware store to finish a home repair project before bed.

No problem and no rush!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can the whole flock eat S&P starter crumbles until the younger ones start laying? When should I integrate the chicks into the big flock? They are about 5 weeks old and have been living in close proximity (sharing walls) with the older hens for about 1-2 wks.

You can feed S&P starter indefinitely if you want. The closest thing they have to an all flock is grower, but my flock prefers the starter since it's 3% more protein.

I'd start integration now as long as you have the run cluttered up to provide plenty of hiding spots. I start letting my chicks in with the adults at 10-14 days old. Integration info is about halfway down the article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/

 

[Toothpick]

$15.00
50lbs
22% protien
Layer Feed

At my local co-op. That's what I offer 24/7 to my chickens.

I feed them table scrapes a few times a week. That's all they get. Oh, and oyster shell and grit as they want it.

I collect eggs daily. No problems. Folks have gone out of their mind with feed in this new chicken and egg shortage crazy days.