Where do you buy feed at?

[jodeep]

We are new to chickens, and started with 6 hen chicks, and 15 broiler chicks (cornish crosses)--the CX are about 4 weeks old, and so far I have just been buying feed from my local farm and fleet store (which happens to be Runnings), but it's adding up quickly! They sell 40 lb bags, and they are $13.50--we have purchased 4 bags so far, and antcipate having to buy 2-3 more before they are ready. Is this normal pricing? Or is there a way to get cheaper feed?

(Right now I am buying Nutrena Nature Wise Meatbird feed for them)

 

[bigredfeather]

Most of us that raise a higher quantity of the CX get our feed made at a feed mill. My minimum amount is 800 pounds. Last batch I had made was $10.56/50# and it is a 22% protein ration.

 

[mstricer]

Thats about right. I pay a little over 14$ for 50# bag of Purina start and grow non med. I can actually get get boiler feed from the hatchery cheaper, but I was seeing if Purina's claims about feathering faster is true. This batch of 11 did feather faster and not so much of their yucky butts were showing, so maybe it works. As for their size, we will see, I butcher tomorrow. Lots of people use a higher protein content. I just keep them on the same feed the whole time. Do you feed 12 on 12 off?

 

[jodeep]

Thank you!

I actually started them on the chick starter for the first couple weeks--and their feed was unrestricted. Since we have been using the meatbird feed, we have been doing 12 on, 12 off.

Our next batch we will use the same feed throughout--the Nutrena stuff is 22% protein.

 

[Armyman2007]

I am feeding 20% Dumor starter from TSC and paying 13.50 for a 50# bag. Next year I will be getting custom milled though

 

[Woofless]

I occasionally buy at Runnings too....I love shopping there for a lot of things (the one in Huron SD is awesome) but have been trying to buy feed elsewhere since it seems like they stopped selling 50 lb bags of anything and are now selling fancy-looking 40 lb bags for the same price as a 50 lb bag. Personally I'm not convinced that a fancy package & cute ad campaign is worth paying the extra per-pound cost; I don't have enough birds to justify custom milling so I try to buy 50 lb bags when I can, even if it is only a difference of a few cents per pound

Bomgaar's had meatbird feed on sale last week, $12 for a 50 lb bag. I bought 10 meaties and a bag of feed- this is my first experience with broiler chicks though I've raised about 35 egg layers. TSC's prices here are around $14 but they are also still selling the 50 lb bags, of both the Dumor and the Purina. Overall Bomgaar's seems to have the best prices & the most frequent sales, but that's also probably because it's closer to me than Runnings or TSC and I seem to catch the sales at the right time LOL.

Out of curiosity what state are you in (if you don't mind sharing)? Runnings isn't nationwide, pretty much only in the MN/SD region so I'm thinking you must not be too far away from me.

 

[jodeep]

Quote:
Great info! I am in SD too--a few miles east of Clear Lake (which is south of watertown). I have access to Runnings and TSC in Watertown.

 

[lady feathers]

I get ours from the feed mill..... $9-$10 for 50#. Depends on how corn prices are I can't remember exactly but I think it's 24%protein.

 

[ChikeeMomma]

I buy 24% unmedicated grower for my meaties. It is $14.00 for a 50lb bag. I buy it at the local Family Farm and Home. I buy the layer mash at the local elevator. It is 50lbs for $10.00. The layer mash has gone up! It was $7.50 just a year ago.

 

[BarefootMom]

I buy a 20% that our feed mill makes. It is called Richard's Rooster and is produced for people who raise roosters. It is $8.50 a 50lb bag. The chickies love it!

We have bought meaty bird made my Nutrena in the past- I think it is 18%?? it was about $13.50 for a 40lb bag