YO GEORGIANS! :)

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KrakenQueen said:
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Although I don't have chickens at this time, my husband and I plan to adopt some older hens in 2014. So right now I'm just doing my homework ;)


For those of you in the Savannah, GA area or nearby, where are some good places to get quality chicken feed for layers? How much does it normally cost / how many pounds? What and where should I avoid? Other things to consider?


I admit to being the type who prefers organic type feed, however as close to organic as possible is also fine. I ask because I've slowly been gaining intolerance to certain non-organic meats / meat products. Beef and eggs seem to be at the top of them. Our eventual birds will also be given time to forage in the yard when I am able to watch them. /quote]

Just wondering what you mean by "older hens"? Since you are just beginning your research I'll tell you I got burned on my first hens. I adopted two "young hens" only to find that one was past laying age and the other laid a total 17 eggs before she quit. I brooded mine out from day olds the next time and loved it.

There are many make your own feed recipes out there. Feed is either organic or it isn't. I'm not sure what make a feed "close" to organic. Feed is so subjective. I used to feed 7 horses five different feeds and combinations of feeds. I finally bought Nutrena Safe Choice and feed less with better results. I'd love to try their chicken feed but a lot of people hate it. Many love Purina layer feed. I am not one of them. I have never paid attention to feed cost. I imagine I can buy free range eggs at the store for less than I spend on chickens.
 
There's a BYC member from Canada that had their barn burn down last. She lost all her chickens and a dog. I was wondering if we are allowed to set up some kind of relief fund for them. I was also thinking of trying to find a hatchery or breeder in Canada that could send them some more chickens or maybe try to get a gift certificate to a store that sells pen building materials.
 
So glad all this rain is over. Who knows what happened since I've been gone. My chickens my be under water by now. Hopefully they aren't.
 
By older hens I meant the two year olds, as it was suggested by other posters. I have fibromyalgia, so starting with chicks isn't exactly a good option for me. If they stop laying in a few months or even a year after, that's fine. I plan to keep my hens as pets too, besides making good pest patrol and compost makers. I'm learning to expect older hens to not be as prolific as the younger layers.

I'll keep reading up on chicken feed to get an idea of what are the best options.
 
When mail ordering small amounts of chicks should I order double? I've been told to expect to loose a few. How do you order with a death rate in mind? I want an mixed group of girls. So confused, if I order 2 of each I'll have 4 more than I planned on.
 

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