Which would you choose? Between two Co-Op feeds...

[paneubert]

I am thinking of taking a chance on a feed Co-Op that trucks in feed from Spokane to the West Side of the state every 2 months. Uses the method where if you (and some other local people) fill a pallet, they will deliver it to someone who can then distribute to the other buyers.

Main reason I want to give it a try is that it has no corn or soy, and is Verified non-gmo (according to them), as well as not officially certified organic, however they promise that no sprays are used.

All for the low (for some people) price of $23 for broiler and $24 for chick starter. 50 pound bags.

Which of these would you choose? Trying to replicate an "All Flock" or "Flock Raiser" type of situation since I feed oyster shell on the side. Do want to stay close to 20% protein.

Option 1 - "Chick Starter"

Option 2 - "Broiler"

 

[cavemanrich]

I don't see it as such a great value, but different areas offer different pricing. I would choose the Chick Starter over the Broiler personally.
It has slightly more Calcium, but not too much to be detrimental to non layers and roosters.
Below is what I use. You can see that the price is half of what you are considering.

It is 18% protein, which is sufficient for my chickens.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I choose the Chick Starter also, more Calcium, less crude fiber. GC

 

[paneubert]

Thanks for the replies. New wrinkle in the choice (for either of the ones I posted) is that it is not pelleted or crumbled. I saw a photo someone posted of the mill I am considering and the feeds look a lot like what you see in "scratch and peck" brand feed. All the main ingredients are easily identified as separate bits. Worries me that the chickens will fall into the "pick out the good bits and leave the other stuff" trap.

This is "scratch and peck" brand for reference.

I might buy a bag or two just to see how it goes, but if they pick out the bits then it might end up getting treated as really expensive scratch for me to toss out into the chicken yard as a treat daily. Haha.

 

[Timothy Menezes]

I had to look up the main ingredient in both mixes as it was new to me. Boogle my mind that they can consider a chemical induced hybrid like this, a non GMO.

https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/triticale-benefits-uses/

 

[Folly's place]

I'd avoid anything that comes as whole grains, because at least some birds will definitely eat the yummy stuff and leave the rest, unbalancing what might be a balanced diet. It may also get pretty old by the time you've fed the last bag, not so good for the vitamins in the mix.
Then too, I'm happy to feed corn and soybeans as part of a balanced diet.
Mary

 

[paneubert]

I had to look up the main ingredient in both mixes as it was new to me. Boogle my mind that they can consider a chemical induced hybrid like this, a non GMO.

https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/triticale-benefits-uses/

It was a new one to me as well. When you search for it here on BYC, you pretty much only get results where people are trying to make their own feed.

I think they have a grammar error or are missing a word in the following quote, but it does summarize it well.

"The important thing to remember about triticale is that it is a man-made cereal grain. It is not a product of Mother Nature. Nor did not come about via nontoxic, human assisted hybridization in a traditional agricultural setting.


Triticale is a product of chemicalizing the plant reproductive process. While not considered a genetically engineered crop, triticale is certainly a precursor to the GMO crops of today."

 

[paneubert]

Then too, I'm happy to feed corn and soybeans as part of a balanced diet.
Mary

I consider the lack of corn and soy as a minor side benefit of this opportunity. I am starting to wonder if this is one of those "but I am certain it would be so fun to make my own feed! Give me your tried and true recipe!....type of posts. But I am expending mental effort and $$ to buy weird feed instead of making it myself. Living vicariously thru their unique ingredients. Haha!

I will probably stick with my "commercial" crumble, but buy a bag of this to mix in or use to ferment or soak. My ladies have been spoiled lately with me wetting down some of their crumbles with some alfalfa every couple days. No real schedule to it, sort of just whenever I feel like it.

 

[007Sean]

Both have a lot of added salt and the broiler ration has preservatives!
The chick starter would be best but personally I don't care for either one.
Another thing to look at also, if it is like the scratch & peck, then I'd be worried about mycotoxins that cause egotism, ie; Claviceps *spp
Barley and rye cereal grains are susceptible to the fungus under high moisture conditions.

 

[AltonaAcres]

I am not sure which you should use. We get a similar whole grain . Its organic, no corn or soy. It comes in a huge tote on a pallet. we ferment our food for several days before giving it to the chickens. They don't seem to pick out certain grains. They love it, and I've seen improvement. It is kind of a waste to raise birds just to get their eggs, when you are feeding them the same thing that store- bought- egg chickens eat. I have had friends who try to ferment crumbles or pellets, and just end up with a stinky moldy mess. I would highly recommend trying a whole grain feed! Good luck...