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Barnyard Buddies:  Organic Chicken Feed?  |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 25 2007 : 07:45:47 AM
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Does anyone buy organic feed for their chickens? I had to have it shipped which was way expensive, and found two companies with differing ingredients. One had a lot of soy, and the other used fishmeal, stressing how soy is very bad. The explanation is found at www.westonaprice.org/soy/index.html
I finally found someone locally who will get me organic feed, but the ingredients are corn, soy and wheat...in that order, and lots of added vitamins. This is the current feed for our chickens, but I'm wondering if I could give supplemental feeding of oats, ground flax seed and kelp to make for a better diet. Anybody have any insight?
Ann
Sairy Hill Thicket
There is a Redeemer. |
Edited by - Phils Ann on Oct 25 2007 07:51:18 AM |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2007 : 08:19:36 AM
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Hmm..we've always fed strictly certified organic feed, but you are right, it is really expensive. $14.97/45 lb bag as opposed to $9 for the cheap stuff which I was told contains feather meal  . They also get a ton of greens and weeds from our big garden during the summer when they're confined to their "playground". In the winter they range free for their own over 13 acres of grass and anything else they can get into!
I know I've had a lot of people come back saying my eggs were the best eggs they had ever had and I gained another B&B customer this summer when I gave him a free dozen to try, so I guess the extra expense is worth it.
But now I'm curious as to the actual ingredient content. I probably should have looked before, but we've always had excellent healthy birds so I never questioned any ratios in it. I'll have to look at the label on the bag when I go down to the barn this morning.
Di |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2007 : 09:06:06 AM
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Diane, it costs $13.50 to ship one 50# bag, one weeks worth of feed. I also fed the chickens garden goodies all season, but the fall garden just never got going--way too hot after planting. They can't be free ranged here because of so many predators, but they do have a really big run (playpen ,Diane). I have sunflower heads for them and have field peas to sprout for the winter, but these are more treats than regular feed--I'll run out of them. I need something I can count on. And, wow are the eggs good.... and birds healthy.
Tasha, I didn't ever think of banannas! I'll try that for them when I have too many (no cheap ones around). They do get the seeds from winter squash, but that's not much compared to a month ago... tomatoes were a big hit.
Ann
Sairy Hill Thicket
There is a Redeemer. |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2007 : 10:07:20 AM
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Oh tomatoes are a big hit here too...especially when SOMEBODY left the greenhouse door open!! It also made a nice warm place to have a dustbath! Ah well, there are bigger things to worry about. We have a lot of predators here too, mostly nasty mink, but I find most will only cause problems at night, so the barn is locked up like Ft.Knox as soon as it gets dark.
Your shipping costs are prohibitive Ann, wow! Does the cost go down if you were to say buy 10 bags at once? Or would it pay you to drive to pick it up and buy several bags at one time? We have a place north of us that sells organic feed cheaper, but 2 hrs driving adds gas to the cost so it's not really worth it. I guess you probably are in the same boat.
Ok, so I have to move my butt here and go and find a label in the barn!
Di
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2007 : 1:21:10 PM
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Diane, I've asked about getting 10 at a time, but it's a small company, I guess. They're about 6 hours away and use UPS. I've had offers from a friend to go there when he's in the area, but it's not a firm thing, and so far hasn't worked out. This feed has the fish meal and no soy. It's by far the favorite food for the flock. They absolutely go nuts over it. For now, the local place is what I need to use, even though I'm not crazy about the formula.
We have to lock up the chickens as soon as it's dark, too. We have raccoons, owls and foxes along with the dogs. Hawks are around in the day, but there's bird netting covering the runs, which DH says is the absolute hardest thing to do by himself. Some of the run is 20 feet wide, and they're 9 feet high.
Backyard Poultry featured an article with a greenhouse as part of the chicken environment. The birds were in two sections by a door, a worm bin did composting and fed chickens, and of course, greens were planted in the middle. Amazing. I've given lots of hints...
Ann
Sairy Hill Thicket
There is a Redeemer. |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2007 : 08:40:13 AM
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I can not seem to get a feed store around here to purchase organic anything. I just started keeping hens again after being without for five years. I can not even get a group of farmers to go in on a shippment to split the cost. I am again the nutter from the Funny Farm in their eyes. I wish I did not feel like I was always paddling up stream. I am presently looking into how I can make my own by ordering organic grains thru Vitamine Cottage in bulk and mixing my own. Would love to hear more about what you feed - I am reading all the time to find better ways to feed my animals and myself.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2007 : 1:32:46 PM
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Grace, I have found the same general response: a blank look...which seems to hide incredulity that I'd be so weird. LOL. Backyard Poultry Magazine does have information about making your own mix, as well as what else can be fed to them. We just don't have the good field that could grow what is needed to grow our own. Everything organic has to be trucked in. The place I finally did find was almost by accident. Someone heard of someone who sells feed and told me the name and number. Basically a farmer began selling one company's feed from a building on his farm. He doesn't generally sell anything organic, but the company he uses happened to have layer feed available in organic, so he's getting it for me. All of which is to suggest to you that you might consider becoming a dealer for your area, which would mean you could buy in bulk and get better rates. (I tell the nicer store owners that organic backyard chickens are becoming popular, so they might want to consider being the first to offer feed.) Our area is densely filled with big name grower companies, so everything small is almost unheard of regarding chickens.
I've had success with giving the birds all lettuce, most greens (except arugula), and read that they love comfrey and stinging nettle, both raw and dried to hay. Backyard Poultry (vol.1,#5) says sprouted grains are favorites and sprouted peas will eventually be eaten. My birds love clover, which could be a cover crop in the winter or (our case, so far) the perennial white clover. Summertime is so easy with all the garden veggies...they loved tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon and corn, including of course the corn worms, and any bugs to be caught. I also have given them yogurt that was too sour or old for me to use, which they love.
I've heard that too much corn in the feed produces birds that are too fat. I haven't given any scratch grains yet, but bought oats and wheat for that use. I do want them to get flax, so will try adding that and some kelp to oats and see if they'll go for the combination. Maybe make a little mash with some milk or yogurt if they don't eat it plain.
Phil remembers when his grandmother got her feed from a local grainery, so it was all local. Sigh. Best of luck, Grace!
Ann
Sairy Hill Thicket
There is a Redeemer. |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2007 : 3:41:24 PM
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Thanks Ann
I have the recipes from a couple of organic chicken and dark egg layers sites. I have been toying with the idea of being a carrier of organic feed but right now I just do not have the cash to lay out up front and I hear from folks that "Yes I want Organic" and when I tell them the cost they seem to fade into the night. I also have too many customers who come to the shop and just wont make a committement. Frustrating. I have one problem with my hens, they came to me debeaked. I was horrified but now it does limit what they can eat. I am hoping that the peaks will go back but for now I place all the garden goodies in my juicer and then they get the pulp and they share the juice with me -are they sweet gals? I have even been known to mash up worms for them - aren't I a nice mommy? Thanks again for answering.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2007 : 09:23:45 AM
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Grace, You're a wonderful Mommy! I sure can imagine how few folks would be serious about spending the needed amount for organic feed. We talked in the beginning about carrying the feed, too, but didn't want to invest. And, it has to be used more quickly than traditional or it'll become rancid and lose nutrient value. Our chicks were day-olds from McMurray Hatchery, and came with complete beaks. We had one less than ordered, and one extra male, but since we didn't NEED 26 birds, it wasn't a problem! I would use them again.
Ann
Sairy Hill Thicket
There is a Redeemer. |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2007 : 11:06:19 AM
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Mine came from McMurray but where older birds. I did not see when ordering that they would do that and was so upset I cried for a week every time I went into the coop. I do not believe in that practice - nor do I dock sheep tails, dehorn goats or band off balls. Mother Nature gave them body parts for a reason. I figure it is the least I can do for them and each day I say I am so sorry! We made watermellon juice this morning and they sure loved their breakfast. I made scrambled eggs for my aging Great Pry Dog - so the kitchen is closed today till dinner so I can get some painting done. Stay well all.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
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Barnyard Buddies: Organic Chicken Feed? |
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Organic Chicken Feed?
