Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[Bladeguy]

Oops. I went back and re read. And see I was wrong. But it is stillnso hard to lose any. Maybe some acv in the waternto give them a little feel better. We also got some bad feed. Ours was from fleet. And after that, we looked over every bag we opened. If it had white powder on the pellets we returned it. But I am now happier that wr are getters ng the feed mill stuff. Haven't had issues. nock on wood.

Cuties...I see you are in Central Wisconsin. I have some broilers now and am also getting layers next year, and I'm in Central Wisconsin also. Would you be willing to share what mill you get feed from? I've been getting it in Marion as I travel the state a lot, but it isn't really on the way for me anywhere and would like a closer source. Plus, my broilers aren't growing fast at all, and I'm wondering if the feed I'm buying is truly 20% protein as advertised. They are over 7 weeks old and not one of them is even 4 pounds yet. Good for the chickens as they get to live longer, but bad for my vacation plans in a few weeks as these will have to go to freezer camp soon....small or not. Any input would be appreciated. (Not saying Marion is not honest! I just haven't seen much for results, so if you like Marion, please don't take this as a slight)

 

[Sclark73]

I called Farm N Fleet in Rice Lake and they are refunding my money for the feed and having the company call me to see about refunding the money lost in birds so far. The Manager stated that the feed is alot of times 30 days old by the time it reaches the stores and the local feed mills process feed in short amounts of time and it doesn't sit that long. I never have had this problem locally, only twice now at the retail farm supply. And Fleet Farm and Farm and Fleet were originally brothers who split up into 2 separate companies years ago. They are going to take samples of each feed and test also to see what is exactly causing the problem. All I know is this didn't happen until their feed and the birds aren't showing any symptoms other than it looks like they just lay down and die. Gullets are very full, weight is good. I'm wondering about doing a necropsy on them later today to see if I can find anything internally that looks off but I have no idea what to look for so if anyone has a youtube video or something they could recommend on doing this I would greatly appreciate it. I'm down 6 birds now, 2 BLRW, 3 SS and 1 BO. I hope that's all but will keep watch. If I lose more I'm going to rethink this whole thing and may just quit with the hatchery business. I have so much money tied up in these birds and with this loss now I don't know if I'll ever get back even close to where I was. I only have 1 SS roo and 1 Hen left of my show birds. I do have chicks in the house that I can grow out if I need to. Sorry rambling again with random negative thoughts.

If anyone on here has bought recently from Rice Lake Farm & Fleet or any for that matter that has lost birds after feed please let me know. I was feeding the Layer crumbles and Scratch that were the f&f brand, can't remember off hand the exact name but will get it and bring it back later today.

 

[Sclark73]

Agrimaster is the brand.

 

[cuties]

Clark, I have been told that when it is put on sale s usually when it is very close to expiration. Good luck!

Bladeguy, it is Hemmings Hometown in Brandon. They are wonderful. If I remember we went with a 22% protein. As we were looking to better our feather quality. And our flock consists of a lotnof grow out birds. We feed the 20% medicated. And once they begin to feather I mix it about 50/50 with the higher protein feed. Each afternoon I throw cracked corn, boss, and oats out in the pines for them. I also feed them lots of leftovers and fresh garden type things in summer. And pumpkin is also good for them. And every other week we give yogurt mixed with kianne pepper and garlic. We add acv to water. And electrolytes if it is hot or we add a new batch of chicks to the free range coop.
We still have ocassional issues. Like for instance, even tho we sprayed our birds with flea and tick prevention before fair we still brought home mites. And are now rid of it. And the Light Brahma chicks sometimes seem weak at about 4-8 weekd of age. And we do loose some of them for no apparent reason. I do think that may be due to line breeding before we got our stock. We plan to seperate our lines of these guys. And mKing two seperatines of our own

 

[BayBay Peepers]

The story of Farm and Fleet and Fleet Farm being brothers that split is complete myth. It's pure coincidence that they opened stores the same year in different cities. Blains Farm and Fleet was founded by two brothers who did not split. Mills Fleet Farm was Fleet Wholesale Supply and later morphed into just plain Fleet Farm.

 

[bigzio]

Welcome to the Cheeseheads chickenboy....while you like your roo...$50 is asking more than anyone will pay for him.....if you want a good home for him....many here will help you out without the money expected....just sayin.

bigz

 

[jvls1942]

good afternoon, I just traded a couple of chickens for a young (hopefully a female) Toulouse goose.

I feed ground oats and corn.. I either dish it out in pans or else I use a 100# turkey feeder.. I don't notice that there is a lot of waste ..

Years ago, you had to have a membership card to buy from Fleet & Farm,,..

I have used F & F feed for many years.. never had any bad.. maybe it depends on the volume they sell ..

also, in the cold months, there is less chance of mold growing than in the warm humid months ..

Annie found two live mice in the chick feed bin,, I whacked them,, then just now she found a mouse in the middle of the basement floor,, I whacked that one , too.. It is that time of year when they want to move inside..

Oh yes, when I was rounding up chickens, I scared up two big guineas ... they were in the raspberry patch ,,
.......jiminwisc.........

 

[bigzio]

That makes me laugh Jim....when jennie caught some mice in her garage my daughter in law asked if she released them? jennie said he!! no I smacked them vermin...

 

[Cindlady]

Hi

Jim, I need the bottle/jars to be 1 to 1.2 oz. or 30 to 35 ml. no thread, if they come with a cork great! A short jar type is best. I found the perfect one but they are on back order and they can only give me about 530 when they come in... I need about 1100. What pisses me off is I know that company has to get them from somewhere..... I need to find that place! Still working on it. If I have to I can get 2 different styles and put red in one and black in the other.

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

Cuties: Good to know! I use Fleet Farms "Sprout" brand. Aprox. $14 for 50 #s. I would prefer to find some place where I can be assured that its fresh-will have to start looking around.

ummmm . . . are you kidding me?!