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Barnyard Buddies:  Summertime Chicken Feed?  |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 01 2011 : 06:03:26 AM
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I have not bought chicken scratch because it's so expensive right now. And it's because of the corn. Of all things, I would think corn would be so cheap. Isn't it like the #1 crop in the world? Why is it so expensive?
So I was wondering if there is a formula anyone uses that does NOT contain corn. They really do not need corn in the warmer months anyway. I have been just giving them scraps and they free range. But they act like vultures every time I go out the door. And they have devoured all my ripe tomatoes and red bell peppers. So they cannot be starving. I know they aren't with all the grass and bugs all over too.
So just wondering if there was some other good cheap grain I could give them now. Plus they need something to keep them busy while the other animals eat and are being milked. So annoying to have chickens jumping up in the feed trough while I am milking goats. And it annoys the goats too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2011 : 07:19:03 AM
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I was thinking the same thing. I unearthed a whole bunch of grubs the other day and they fed until they could hardly walk back to the coop. I also notice they are too hot in this heat with scratch so I was wanting to find something different as well. They run after me around the farm like a shadow - that with the bottle kids and I feel like yelling at everyone to go back to their homes and leave me alone. I know it is the heat for all of us - hope someone has some good ideas I will be going into town this week and need to pick something up.
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://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2011 : 08:12:51 AM
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I find that my chickens hardly eat any of the corn we have when they are out in the yard. I am wondering if we could wait until winter to feed that. Like you, I know they aren't starving from all the stuff they eat in the yard. For us here, its frogs!!! Do they really need more than what they can find for themselves?
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2011 : 08:23:21 AM
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I know lots of people that don't feed their chickens anything during the warmer months. So I guess I will just hold off then. I know they are not hungry. Just used to that morning and evening feeding. I guess they'll get used to not being thrown the scratch. I do give them other things though. And goodness at all the fresh tomatoes they are getting too! And all the bugs. It's nature at it's best out there. They are constantly eating. So I will not worry about it. AND save a bunch of money too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2011 : 08:41:21 AM
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The reason corn is so high in cost, is because of all the flooding this year that wiped out so many thousands, upon thousands of acres of corn, plus the severe storms with torrential rain, hail and shear winds, and not to be out done by the tornados...all this plus factor in supply and demand...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2011 : 4:23:25 PM
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Corn should only be fed in the cold months as it heats them up as they burn out the sugar......even though some of you are free ranging I would recommend you still put out some sort of feed at least once a day...yes they are finding bugs for the protein but need the other minerals they can't get by free ranging...dried oatmeal, flax seed, 7 grain mix even wild bird seed that has no corn will work.....they lose the amega 3 oils that give the eggs that extra boost...plus it helps with feather developement & skin......I buy a huge bag of flaxseed for humans once a year so that mine can have it...a small handful every other day is good....Or if you can't afford to do that...go to the dollar type store that carries food & pick up some cheap tuna in water & give that to them once a week just make sure you spread it out well cause they will go nuts for it...also I give them a treat of natural all grain cheerios that they love & will run all over the yard & runs looking for.....it has no added sugar so I know I am not over heating them.....that or Kix's type cereals can be gotten cheap if you go for no name ones & the chickens can't read so they don't know the difference :)...Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2011 : 8:59:34 PM
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I have been trying to find a source of fish for my girls - I will look for a deal on Tuna - I personally don't eat it and would never get Cat food for the girls so this might work. I also give flax seed, sunflower seeds and wild bird seed too. I received from a friend some frost bit wild blueberries that tasted a bit like licking the freezer but the girls every so loved them however boy did they poop up the coop... I had a farm who gave me over bruized tomatoes at the farmers market but the lady passed in the winter so no go there..
I will keep thinking of more ways to feed my girls and get quality eggs from them.. Your help has got the old gray cells moving.
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://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2011 : 06:11:50 AM
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Thank you for your suggestions, Michele.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2011 : 07:39:52 AM
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i thought i would mention i give worms. i grow them and feed them to my girls. we have shower stalls buried and filled with worms and compost. yum. no work just dig some up and throw them in. they run and scamper chasing each other for the worms. no labor food. we feed the worms tea coffee and poop. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2011 : 06:27:19 AM
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I just found an organic supply of chicken feed mix, by touring an organic farm. He doesn't do it for a living, but will take names via an e-mail list and contact us when he has a supply. You could check with local organic farms. He said it's about $28.00 from one area, but because he goes and buys a whole truck full, he can offer it about $19.00/bag (at today's prices). Try searching for organic farms with www.eatwild.com.
We free range ours all day, then lock them up tight at night. They do scratch, even in hot heat, if I give them dishes of chipped ice to keep them cooled down. I also give them items from the garden every once in a while. I don't feed them anything processed from the store (pasta that is not homemade etc).
Farmgirl #800
http://pioneerwomanatheart.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2011 : 09:35:04 AM
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I just shucked about 2 bushels of corn. There were chickens all over the place. Every ear had at least one worn, some had 2. And I'd cut the ends off and they would fight over that. Of course there was plenty and they lost interest after while. So they got plenty of protien today. And Mazie and Chuck love the shucks and the cobs. I cut them into little pieces and give them to the cows. So we all eat good!
There are some places that make organic feed but it is so expensive. And there are not enough people that would buy it. So I guess I'll just stick to what I am doing now and when it starts getting cold I'll go back to the scratch.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2011 : 10:02:44 AM
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wow $19.00 for Organic feed, thats a great deal!!! I pay $24 for mine but I have a feed store less than 1/2 mile from the house so I don't mind & while Thomas in in Afghanistan I can do the organic...when he gets back I will probably have to go back to the other but I do have all the other things...flax,oats,7 grain, wheat germ, mealy worms that I can add to the feed to boost it specially in the winter....plus a huge stock of tuna...like one hen said I don't eat it either so I grab it on sale for the chickens & cats.....love the idea of the shower stall buried for a worm farm idea....I have been thinking of doing something like that..not that big as it would take me forever & a day to dig with all the rocks we have but something a bit smaller would work for my 30 chickens...I have 3 new babies now & Prudence is still sitting on at least 8 eggs but Ginger is happy being a momma again.....Star is doing well after the chow attack, feathers growing back in & hasn't been afraid to go out to play...gertie is molting & skinny...never realized how her feathers made her look so big..lol...bought some game feed with 21% protein to help with my frizzle roo who has the double gene so he can hopefully grow in some new feathers in all his bear spots befoe the winter hits...poor little boy but healthy otherwise....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2011 : 10:54:38 AM
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Kristina how far away are you from me? I would like to feed my chickens organic feed but there is no one around me that sells it that I know of. I am in southern Ohio Not more than 30 minutes from the Kentucky. Right now I feed a natural vegitarian layers pellet free choice.I am paying 13.95 a bag for that and it keep going up.
They also go into the goat pasture and free range on their pasture too. They get scraps and some corn for treats everyday. I have about 37 chickens ranging from 6 months old to almost 12 years old.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
Edited by - wooliespinner on Aug 05 2011 10:57:18 AM |
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homsteddinmom
True Blue Farmgirl
441 Posts
Brandee
bullard
tx
USA
441 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2011 : 07:24:06 AM
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I feed mine 14% sweet feed. It also has lots of roughage in it. They love it and so do the cows, and goats! I am getting it for .15¢ a lb in bulk.
Homesteading Mom in East Texas. Raising chickens, Rabbits and goats here on my farm! |
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AmberNWichita
True Blue Farmgirl
113 Posts
Amber
Wichita
Kansas
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2011 : 11:51:21 PM
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In the summer time I feed my chickens a natural vegetarian layer pellets and mix in some wild bird seed, and just let them eat the grass and weeds in the yard. In the cooler winter months I mix together layer pellets, Bird Seed, Flax, and a mineral supplement from wwww.peddlerswagon.com. It helps on the days I can't always score a fresh green meal for them.
I want there to be no peasant in my kingdom so poor that he cannot have a chicken in his pot every Sunday.
Henry IV |
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Barnyard Buddies: Summertime Chicken Feed? |
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Summertime Chicken Feed?
