What brand feed?

[ChickNanny13]

@MissChick@dee
I wish there were smaller bags, Flock Raiser comes in 50#, with only 4 girls it lasts me about 2 months (fermenting). Couple of times I've had to deal with feed mites & due to the "freshness" of the feed we get, figure may keep the feed longer? So what I have started doing is freezing ...

Started off freezing the whole bag, taking out several days feed as I need but then I tried breaking down the bag to several (7) 2gal freezer ziplock bags, removing a ziplock as I need. When defrosting, it open the ziplock, lay the bag on a towel, to collect the condensation for about half a day, turn it over & leave it open in my utility room until it feels dry. It's been working for me.

I too feed freeze dried mealworms & BOSS at close up. Haven't had any issues

 

[MissChick@dee]

@MissChick@dee
I wish there were smaller bags, Flock Raiser comes in 50#, with only 4 girls it lasts me about 2 months (fermenting). Couple of times I've had to deal with feed mites & due to the "freshness" of the feed we get, figure may keep the feed longer? So what I have started doing is freezing ...

Started off freezing the whole bag, taking out several days feed as I need but then I tried breaking down the bag to several (7) 2gal freezer ziplock bags, removing a ziplock as I need. When defrosting, it open the ziplock, lay the bag on a towel, to collect the condensation for about half a day, turn it over & leave it open in my utility room until it feels dry. It's been working for me.

I too feed freeze dried mealworms & BOSS at close up. Haven't had any issues

Okay....thanks so much! 50lbs. that’s a lot. I can’t lift 50lbs. Like I used to, not worth the risk (back surgery) and the 30lbs’ers I get is more than I can use really. The condensation is what I worried about. I can’t afford to waste good feed. Thank you again for the feedback. I’m going to try it.

 

[ChickNanny13]

You're in NV so the ambient temp is alot drier than here (HI) ... When defrosting keep the bag open so the moisture will evaporate, wipe the ziplock when it starts to sweat. Or you could pour the feed out into a roasting pan to dry out.

Since you're getting 30# you could fill a ziplock so it's not so full, will make defrosting & drying out easier. You'll figure out what works best for your. Sorry about your back, take care of it, DH suffers with his back but too "chicken" for the surgery

 

[Cindy in PA]

Nature's Best is a very good feed. When I used it, it always lasted longer & produced more eggs than other feeds I tried. The price at TSC is very reasonable. Even though it is 16%, it was enough for my chickens. I feed layer from 18 weeks on & never had a problem. Only switched, because I am now able to get Green Mountain no soy organic feed & I like that it contains fishmeal, which I prefer.

 

[Jenny Loves Chickies]

I thought I was doing great by feeding Scratch and Peck organic grower feed fermented....until 2 of my hens died from listeria. The vet that did the necropsy said it’s the feed, she said it should NOT be fermented and should NOT contain fish meal. She said chickens don’t need fancy, they need simple. Buy a bag of decent feed and offer them oyster shell. Haven’t received which yet but I will need to transition my girls slowly, I’m so upset that I listened to all the hype and my girls died.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I thought I was doing great by feeding Scratch and Peck organic grower feed fermented....until 2 of my hens died from listeria. The vet that did the necropsy said it’s the feed, she said it should NOT be fermented and should NOT contain fish meal. She said chickens don’t need fancy, they need simple. Buy a bag of decent feed and offer them oyster shell. Haven’t received which yet but I will need to transition my girls slowly, I’m so upset that I listened to all the hype and my girls died.

Sorry for your loss. I have never fermented feed, but have used fishmeal for over 25 years off & on. Would love to know how the vet could determine where the listeria came from. Sounds like they believe in vegetarian chickens.

 

[Jenny Loves Chickies]

Sorry for your loss. I have never fermented feed, but have used fishmeal for over 25 years off & on. Would love to know how the vet could determine where the listeria came from. Sounds like they believe in vegetarian chickens.

Thank you. She is a poultry specialist at Cornell University so she does a large number of necropsys, she said there are a few commonalities for most birds that die from listeria. Being around goats, sheep, livestock, fermented corn or eating fermented food are all on her list. The only one that includes me is the fermented food. It’s absolutely possible that’s not where it came from however I can’t take the risk. She was talking about fish meal and the studies that have been done but I was crying too hard to hear her, I have another call scheduled with her to discuss the final report and I will ask for more details on the fish meal. Your 25 years experience is more valuable than many vet’s opinions in my eyes