I am looking for a local source of feed for my small flock of 16 and saw this ad on craigslist: This is a very high protein feed , great for livestock . fresh brewers grain is a mixture of spent , barley , wheat , rice and sorghum . Very high protein around 27% , this feed is clean and free of dirt or trash . $20 a sack (100 lbs) @ $20 per 100lbs $45 a barrel (300 lbs) @ 15 per 100lbs $90 1/2 ton @ $9 per 100lbs $170 1 ton @ 8.50 per 100lbs Picked up from the farm Would this be a good feed for my chickens? 27% protein is much higher than the commercial starter/grower I am giving them now, but I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing. I would presumably need to supplement a lot of calcium once they start laying. Also what about the price? Seems affordable. My 50lb bags of starter/grower are $16/sack i think. What do you all think? This is my first time with chickens and I still have a lot to learn about nutrition, etc.
Afraid you need to do some research: http://www.poultryhub.org/nutrition...nutrient-requirements-of-egg-laying-chickens/ There is a different nutrient page for meat birds, if that is what you have. The minerals are the hardest thing from what I recall. There is one especially that is typically boosted in manufactured feeds because it is naturally lower than what they need.
Thanks for the link. I know feed/nutrition can be very complicated and it seems like sticking with a commercial feed is the easiest thing to do for a newbie to chickens. My partner is really interested in finding a local non commercial source of feed, but as the one doing the research, it seems complicated. Which is why I came here to ask the experts
27% protein is to muche for your chicken you will kill them from kidny failior! Chickens need 14-17 % protein!
I have to agree with Akrnaf2. That's a lot of protein but just as important, what is the amino acid breakdown of that protein. That's all vegetative sources of protein so probably woefully low in methionine, lysine and probably tryptophan. The excess protein will be excreted and over time will cause articular gout. It will also end up in the bedding as ammonia.
