Topic of the Week - "Off-grid" Feeding - Homemade feeds, etc.

[Kiki]

I will have to read the labels on my feed bags at home, but someone recently mentioned that a lot of feed companies do not include animal products anymore because their feed has a longer shelf life without.

I just went on a hunt for poultry feeds that contain zero animal products...I came across this in my search:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...the-birds-want-to-eat/?utm_term=.deae800fb2e3

I haven't found any of these said products just yet.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Lets just say that I'm really glad you now have those chickens, and that they are now eating a balanced diet!?!
Mary

If the folks at the feed mill are doing their job, then...yes, my babies are getting a balanced diet. The local Ag store I use has 3 bags of feed...."Grower", "Layer" and way over-priced "Organic". lol

 

[Molpet]

I was thinking about some comfrey, but was concerned about it becoming invasive. Do you have any experience with it?

That depends entirely on the manufacturer of the feed. Not all manufacturers use animal protein.

I have the block 14 comfrey..if the roots are contained it will not spread.. i have it in a raised bed in an area that floods.. it has been underwater for a week and is quite happy.. I had 2 in pots.. one didn't make it through the first winter and the other the chickens kept eating it down.. I will see if it comes back this spring.
my chickens and turkeys love ripping it off the plant.. or if i tear it in very small pieces and let it wilt

 

[lazy gardener]

Interesting. Wonder why mine are not fond of it???

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

It is also supposed to be great as an additive to healing salves. Do your birds like to eat it? What variety do you have now?

I have bocking 4 & 14. Plus seed germinated plants. Yes the chickens eat it to the ground in the fall. At other times I throw it into their run when I'm away doing errands, and they eat it all.

 

[lazy gardener]

Do they show a preference for one over the other?

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Do they show a preference for one over the other?

No. In retrospect I shouldn't have gotten the bocking 4. The guy I bought it from advertised that chickens like it better, but I've never seen that.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Lets just say that I'm really glad you now have those chickens, and that they are now eating a balanced diet!?!
Mary

Yes Gluten free cheerios, you would think she wouldn't have gone there but chosen the added gluten cheerios.

 

[Folly's place]

Comfrey doesn't seem like a good item in anyone's diet, after reading more about it.
We had a very large patch of yarrow growing here when we moved in, and spent a lot of time getting rid of it. It seeds in all over the place, and in tiny quantities, that's okay, but a little bit is more than enough. At least nobody is eating it!
Mary

 

[Mraya]

I got mine on Amazon. We live out int he country and have to utilize Amazon a lot because I can't find anything out here.

Thanks is it Coyote Creek Wild Harvest Fish meal?