Working out a feed budget. QUESTION!

[aggieterpkatie]

Thanks for all of the help, everyone. I haven't yet talked to the mill, because I wanted to have some kind of number to give them before I ask if they can change a batch of layer feed for me. I'm sure they can, but I wanted to give them an amount, so maybe they can mill it all at once and I can find a way to store it. Not sure storing it is the best idea, but if it will save lots of $$ I'll try it.


It seems as though I'd be save averaging 20lb/bird, so if I'm planning on raising around 200 birds I could safely tell them I'd need 2 tons of feed. Right?


aclee, if there are no mills near you (is there an Amish or Mennonite population near you? They usually have mills.), perhaps you could buy an inexpensive layer feed and buy a bag of SBM to add? I don't know enough about formulating diets to be able to know how much to add though. You could probably do some research and find out. Not sure it'd be cost effective on a small scale.

 

[nivtup]

We use 2.5FCR and plan to butcher at end of feed.

Doing so, 4000lbs for 200 birds seems right on the money.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Quote:
Awesome!

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I just heard back from my feed mill. They can do a custom blend for me. It'd be 18% protein and $7.50 per 50lb bag!!

 

[scubaforlife]

I have found my mill to be very accommodating. If I walk in and tell them what I want they give me options and show me how to bump this or that thing, delivered in various means at different times.

They like that I tell them I don't want to shop at big-box stores and only deal with them. I have even shifted to buying my chicks from them as they get some pretty serious volume discounts. They have started carrying items for me that I have asked for (probiotics, flax seed) and are good about offering advice where needed.

 

[Bossroo]

I think that you will be much happier with 22% protein for broilers. 18% is perfectly fine for layers

 

[fasbendera]

Quote:
That is cheaper than my mill. Would they share their "recipe" so I can give it to my elevator and maybe save a little cash. Milling is still cheaper here than buying the premade but it would be interesting to see what they are putting into your mix.

 

[SteveH]

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Google Kent or Purina chicken feed , then do a search for the nearest location . You will probably find a feed mill near you that sells their products but also does custom grinding .

 

[TimG]

Quote:
Google Kent or Purina chicken feed , then do a search for the nearest location . You will probably find a feed mill near you that sells their products but also does custom grinding .

If you find that feed mill that does custom grinding in Massachusetts, please let us know.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Quote:
I've been looking online and some grower/finisher feeds are 19%, some 22%. I'm going to call the mill and see what their other purchased feed % is. Most layer feed I've seen is at 16%.

fasbendera, when I buy the feed I'll post the guaranteed analysis.