Turkey Talk for 2014

[Sydney Acres]

Up until recently I've been disappointed with the organic pellets. In the Pacific NW there are several small mills that handle exclusively organic feed, but most don't do pellets, and the ones that do them don't do them well. The pellets don't hold together properly, so I end up with too much powder. Lately I've been using an organic pellet called NatureSmart. The parent company is Cargill Animal Health, so it's a big company that's likely marketed across most of the country. The pellets hold together perfectly, so my fast-eating pigs-with-feathers don't choke on the powder, and don't have powder all over their beaks that slimes up their water bowls. They only market chick starter, layer pellets, layer crumbles, and cracked corn, so the protein levels might not be high enough for the poults.

I don't know where you are, but there's a small mill in Bellingham WA called Scratch and Peck. They can't do pellets, but they have excellent quality feeds, all non-gmo and organic only, so no potential for cross contamination in their mixing bins. They market both a meat bird diet, which is 22% protein, and a turkey grower (not sure of the protein level on that one), as well as numerous other formulations. Depending on where you are and how much you need, you might be able to have your local feed store order it for you. If you're too far away for the shipping costs, then they might know of a mill in your area. Many of these specialty mills know each other, so it might be worth an e-mail or phone call.

 

[Sydney Acres]

My girls are just coming off of strike. We moved twice in 5 weeks & have had a ton of nasty weather. I expect them to be laying 95-100% within a month as everyone hits breeding season.

My sympathies to your entire household, people and animals alike. Moving is bad enough, but twice in 5 weeks, with all your animals, in this weather, has to be the worst!! Hope everything is settled down for you now.

 

[chickadoodles]

Up until recently I've been disappointed with the organic pellets. In the Pacific NW there are several small mills that handle exclusively organic feed, but most don't do pellets, and the ones that do them don't do them well. The pellets don't hold together properly, so I end up with too much powder. Lately I've been using an organic pellet called NatureSmart. The parent company is Cargill Animal Health, so it's a big company that's likely marketed across most of the country. The pellets hold together perfectly, so my fast-eating pigs-with-feathers don't choke on the powder, and don't have powder all over their beaks that slimes up their water bowls. They only market chick starter, layer pellets, layer crumbles, and cracked corn, so the protein levels might not be high enough for the poults.

I don't know where you are, but there's a small mill in Bellingham WA called Scratch and Peck. They can't do pellets, but they have excellent quality feeds, all non-gmo and organic only, so no potential for cross contamination in their mixing bins. They market both a meat bird diet, which is 22% protein, and a turkey grower (not sure of the protein level on that one), as well as numerous other formulations. Depending on where you are and how much you need, you might be able to have your local feed store order it for you. If you're too far away for the shipping costs, then they might know of a mill in your area. Many of these specialty mills know each other, so it might be worth an e-mail or phone call.

Thanks, I will find something... I have been shopping all the feed stores near us for better options. I also asked some BYC friends on the OFH thread they were very helpful also. If the protein is not high enough I can always raise that where I need it to be. I am thinking of a 15% and adding 5% fish meal to that to give me a higher protein.

 

[Reyvaughn]

I haven't noticed any waste at all. The double sided dish is quite deep and I don't put much in the dish so there seems to be no scratching or flinging it out.

Are those feeders the 16q goat feeders? I am looking for something similar to put in my pens, but I need a 3 section feeder. I may end up building my own in the end.

 

[chicken pickin]

Are those feeders the 16q goat feeders? I am looking for something similar to put in my pens, but I need a 3 section feeder. I may end up building my own in the end.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/fortiflex-mf-2-mineral-feeder-2x175-qt-capacity-black

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
Up until recently I've been disappointed with the organic pellets. In the Pacific NW there are several small mills that handle exclusively organic feed, but most don't do pellets, and the ones that do them don't do them well. The pellets don't hold together properly, so I end up with too much powder. Lately I've been using an organic pellet called NatureSmart. The parent company is Cargill Animal Health, so it's a big company that's likely marketed across most of the country. The pellets hold together perfectly, so my fast-eating pigs-with-feathers don't choke on the powder, and don't have powder all over their beaks that slimes up their water bowls. They only market chick starter, layer pellets, layer crumbles, and cracked corn, so the protein levels might not be high enough for the poults.

I don't know where you are, but there's a small mill in Bellingham WA called Scratch and Peck. They can't do pellets, but they have excellent quality feeds, all non-gmo and organic only, so no potential for cross contamination in their mixing bins. They market both a meat bird diet, which is 22% protein, and a turkey grower (not sure of the protein level on that one), as well as numerous other formulations. Depending on where you are and how much you need, you might be able to have your local feed store order it for you. If you're too far away for the shipping costs, then they might know of a mill in your area. Many of these specialty mills know each other, so it might be worth an e-mail or phone call.
THe pelleting process has an effect on the feed that is generally regarded as negative. IT is a heat drying process to make the pellets and fines are a natural part of the process. How much fines are in the product varies. THere are trade offs with every kind of presentation, if you will of the feed. In horses they use molasses sprayed ont he outside to reduce the " dust" . I"m not longer convinced that pelleted feed is the best choice for optimal health in any animal. We are all lacking greens in our diet in sufficient quantitiy to improve our health. FOod for thought.

 

[chickenman1962]

Yikes, three different roosters, three different breeds, all the same response. I'd be really gun shy too. I wonder why it happens to some people and not to others. There has to be some additional factor, present for some but not for others, that's not being taken into account that increases calcium absorption. Maybe different vitamin/mineral mixes in the layer formulas, or different supplements given, or some native plant that imitates vitamin D, or something. That's the only thing that makes sense. It doesn't seem to be breed related, or age related, or regional. But it does seem that some people have lots of issues and other people have no issues. Nothing really in between the two extremes. It just goes to show that successful management is a total package, not just a single issue that can be transplanted from one farm to another with universal success.

Sydney,
I think you and I are thinking along similar lines. It has been my experience that curled or bent toes on poultry are generally due to one of three different scenarios, none of which are calcium related. One would be hereditary in nature, as some lines simply have a bad propensity for developing bent toes in adults, regardless of how the toes looked at hatch.
Another would be issues incurred during the final stages of incubation, relative to humidity levels. Finally, one might be a deficiency of some sort, most likely Ribovflavin, most likely in the breeders, but it could also be unique to the chicks if the starter or growing mash upon which they're being reared isn't sufficiently amended. Summarily, I've never heard of toe issues in a flock being due to a high consumption of calcium, (though I'm no avian veterinarian).

Kind regards,
Kevin

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Sounds like a plan!

I ordered 22% turkey and whole corn and oyster shell today. FOrgot to ask how many pounds in a bog of oystershell. Sure hope it is not a minisule 10# bag! lol

Have you read SUgar Mtn farm blog?? I love the attitude-- so counder to the hogs live in a production house and feed them milled pellets for maximum growth. WHo would have thought that with careful selection, and great care of the land providing a wide vareiety of vegetable based feed that pigs would thrive outdoors in Vermont of all places. I read thru his blog and created a list of veg he grows for the pigs, and he uses chickens to lay the eggs that the piglets need for higher protein diets. ( Maybe I already told you all this-- worth repeating for others. ) Totally changed how I view feeding my chickens. ANd my kids, and me, and my horses.

 

[SilkieSensation]

My sympathies to your entire household, people and animals alike.  Moving is bad enough, but twice in 5 weeks, with all your animals, in this weather, has to be the worst!!  Hope everything is settled down for you now.

Just waiting on weather to cooperate now. All of my stuff is stuck in storage almost 2 hrs away until we can get a u-haul u the driveway. Our car has only been able to get out the driveway 4-5 days in the past 5 weeks. We really need a 4wd truck.

 

[lwente]

Here is my boy Romeo...

He has two girls, Abigail and Amelia.
So will he mate with both of them? Or do Geese bond 1:1? They were all June hatchlings, we got them at two days old.