Topic of the Week - Saving Money, Feeding Chickens

[sumi]

Pic by @Red Barn Farms
​

Feeding the flock is hands down the most expensive part of raising and keeping poultry, after the initial costs of providing secure housing for them. So, this week I would like to hear what you all suggest and do when it comes to saving money feeding your flocks.



For a complete list of our Topic of the Week threads, see here:https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive

 

[centrarchid]

Free-ranging works in some areas seasonally. You can also go a long ways to improve forage quality; a book could be written on that. Avoid having more birds than the area they can safely forage will support.

 

[DuckPro]

My strategy is buying only 2 roosters because they eat all the food. And put their food in a pot with a little cover and holes so they can't scratch it out.

Would love to hear everyone else's stories

Sincerely
-Duck

 

[centrarchid]

Buying fresh feed and storing it properly are major issues as well. Moisture on feed ruins. Pests like insects, mice and raccoons can all consume feed and damage bags. Keep the feed out of high heat and direct sun as well. It takes more poor quality feed to realize a given level of performance and that can be a real problem when feed quality and feed price are not aligned.

 

[centrarchid]

My strategy is buying only 2 roosters because they eat all the food. And put their food in a pot with a little cover and holes so they can't scratch it out.

Would love to hear everyone else's stories

Sincerely
-Duck

Good one, prevent spillage.

 

[DuckPro]

Buying fresh feed and storing it properly are major issues as well. Moisture on feed ruins. Pests like insects, mice and raccoons can all consume feed and damage bags. Keep the feed out of high heat and direct sun as well. It takes more poor quality feed to realize a given level of performance and that can be a real problem when feed quality and feed price are not aligned.

Yes.
I add a little water so it doesnt blow away in the wind.

 

[DuckPro]

Good one, prevent spillage.

Yup!

 

[DuckPro]

I'm second!

 

[sumi]

When I fed a large flock outside (in the run) I realised I was feeding half the neighbourhood's wild birds as well. I changed my feeding practices by not leaving food out all day and feeding twice a day only and standing nearby to deter any freeloaders while the chickens were eating (about 10-15 minutes was enough), before covering all remaining feed until the next feeding time. I cut my feed bill in half Yes, the wild birds were consuming as much feed as my 100 bird strong flock did!

 

[DuckPro]

Here is a picture of my feeder; note that it has slightly wet food in it and they are bars