Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[jbkirk]

I like Excel feeds. I wish it were closer!

At my local store, Purina pellets are $19.99 per bag. They have a cheaper brand that is around $18 per bag, and the organic stuff is about $32 for 50 pounds.

What kind of purina

Edit I get My layer pellets for $13.99 a bag and I'm tax exempt so I guess I have it pretty good but starter is $17.99

 

[Flaming Chicken]

and to the Washingtonians thread!

Welcome to the thread! Adorable fuzzy babies! What breeds have you got there?

I'm planning on feeding Scratch and Peck Feeds (organic/nongmo) - locally grown and milled in the Pac NW. www.scratchandpeck.com I mention them because the gals at our local store were telling me about it and explaining that it is not finely ground - the pieces actually look like the grains they are. Of course, they have a full line, so I'm sure the chick starter is milled a bit finer.

I fed my gang scratch n peck for a couple of years. It is a combo of whole grains and fine powders. I found that my clucks were picking out the parts that they liked and spreading the rest around. I was shoveling the fine stuff into the compost pile. Some people mix the powder with yogurt or ferment it to get them to eat it but mine were mixing it all in with the bedding and poop making it difficult to contain. And I have to say, my chickens were looking lean and some were missing a lot of feathers. I switched around trying to find a pellet that I liked, organic and not organic. I finally settled on Nutrena feather fixer that I supplement with calcium. My chickens look healthier. All my bald chickens grew their feathers back, my cream legbar eggs are blue (not green or white like they were on some of the other feeds). I know its not organic but then my family doesn't always eat organic and my feed store sells it for about $16.00 and I was paying nearly $30.00 for organic that was being half wasted.

Conway feed has an organic pelleted feed. They are local. X-cel feed is also a good northwest feed. First Fruit carries it in Redmond.

If I wasn't forced to multi task all the time, I might try scratch n peck again. In smaller amounts and wetting it so they couldn't spread it. Right now I need to be able to feed them at 5AM and leave for the rest of the day and not worry about what they are doing with their food.

 

[JulesChicks]

Good points FC! I thought I saw Nutrena in organic at the Coastal Farm Supply - could be misremembering. I wonder how that would compare to the S&P? Also, I am planning on fermenting at least part of the time, so there wouldn't be the waste issues. Even so, I didn't realize there were so many small particles. I'll have to do some trial and error. Feeding at 5 am I can see why you have to keep it simple -that's early!

 

[antyler]

and to the Washingtonians thread!

Welcome to the thread! Adorable fuzzy babies! What breeds have you got there?

I'm planning on feeding Scratch and Peck Feeds (organic/nongmo) - locally grown and milled in the Pac NW. www.scratchandpeck.com I mention them because the gals at our local store were telling me about it and explaining that it is not finely ground - the pieces actually look like the grains they are. Of course, they have a full line, so I'm sure the chick starter is milled a bit finer.

JulesChicks, thank you.

I have several varieties of chickens in two separate coops. I am working on making some breeding pens.

Pen# 1) Roos-Blue laced red Wyandotte
Hens -Blue laced red Wyandotte, Siler laced Wyandotte, Golden laced Wyandotte, Buff Orpington, White Leghorn, Partridge Rock, Phoenix, Delaware, Rhode Island Red, Americana/Easteregger, Barnyard mix
There are also some silkies, hens and roo, a banty roo, and two old english hens in this pen. It is possible for something interesting to happen.

Pen#2) Roos -Black Copper Marans, Blue Copper Marans, Blue Wheaten Marans, Welsummer
Hens- Black copper Marans, Blue Copper Marans, Wheaten Marans, CooCoo Marans, Welsummer, Light Brahma, White Jersy Giant, Speckled Sussex, Barnyard Mix

I might try to pick up some of the feed you mentioned next time I am in Spokane, I see they sell it at NW seed and pet. It looks like good stuff.

 

[Espresso]

Good points FC!  I thought I saw Nutrena in organic at the Coastal Farm Supply - could be misremembering.  I wonder how that would compare to the S&P?  Also, I am planning on fermenting at least part of the time, so there wouldn't be the waste issues. Even so, I didn't realize there were so many small particles.  I'll have to do some trial and error.  Feeding at 5 am I can see why you have to keep it simple -that's early!

They had a pretty good deal on it for their President's Day sale. $10 for a big bag (25 lbs I think). But it looks like the normal price was $14.99? I should have paid better attention. Lol.

Marlene's carried S&P but I'm guessing it isn't the best deal...

 

[Flaming Chicken]

Good points FC! I thought I saw Nutrena in organic at the Coastal Farm Supply - could be misremembering. I wonder how that would compare to the S&P? Also, I am planning on fermenting at least part of the time, so there wouldn't be the waste issues. Even so, I didn't realize there were so many small particles. I'll have to do some trial and error. Feeding at 5 am I can see why you have to keep it simple -that's early!

 

[jbkirk]

In that second photo, first of all adorable, second, is it photo shopped or do you actually have a newborn kitten and pup too? If so, you must be very busy taking care of babies!

Here are some Pics




The puppy and kitten pics are proof that this is not photo shopped!!!

 

[JulesChicks]

Here are some Pics




The puppy and kitten pics are proof that this is not photo shopped!!!

So stinking cute! All of them! In the kitties bed, am I seeing alpaca fiber? How fun you have so many varieties of babies at the same time. You could make an adorable calendar of photos of them

We have 2 grown cats and 2 grown doggies - while part of me loves the puppy/kitten stage - I'm relieved we aren't having the potty accidents, the scratching, chewing, etc.

 

[ochochicas]

Quote: Layena 50# is $19.99 no matter where I go around here. I 'm just about out so I think I'll have to head to the feed store today.

I tried Nutrena and my hens practically quit laying all together. Not sure if it was the food or just a coincidence, but I'm not taking the risk again.

 

[CarolynF]

Thanks Carolyn, i have noticed this too….Again we need to contact these feed companies and let them know what we see, and that also includes hatcheries sending chicks that do not grow out looking as the breed is supposed to……..That being said, it doesn't hurt to let them know the good stuff tooooooo.

Conway feed is also known for powdered crumble, chick, grower, layer……..etc. Ellenbah (sp) has good texture……Purina seems to have changed its formula…..different color and at least my birds before i switched weren't as enamored with their feed. Some corn is ignored so didn't know if type of corn or ?

I ferment too with a mix of Scratch and Peck and one of the above……Beer mash on the side. apple cider vinegar in the water.

Hi Eliz, as always good information. My girls got some spent grain from DH's latest batch of beer too. As did my sourdough bread. Yummy stuff!
I read in Purina's ad that they'd made changes but I don't recall exactly what, I'd have to read the label again.
I totally agree about giving feedback to companies, good and bad. I did write to Del's telling them pretty much what I posted here. Hopefully they will listen if they want to build a
a loyal customer base.

Hi all! Living it up in Bellingham/Ferndale, WA! Thought I'd pop in and contribute

Welcome to the group JennysHens. Tell us about your flock.

Hello from Eastern WA. I just hatched a batch of chicks, and thought I would share a pic.



I was able to buy Purina chick starter at out Dels, but the layer feed changed to Dumor sever months ago. I have started getting my layer feed from the Hutterites, they grow and mill the grain themselves.

Hi There, and Welcome! It's good to know there are good local sources of feed. Since they grow and mill their own I hope it's good quality.

Lovely batch of chicks! Mine are at the ugly stage, 4 weeks old. They look moth-eaten!