My 50-60 chickens free range all day, every day. I still have oyster shell, grit and layer pellets available in a fifty pound range feeder (has a lid and no rain waste). They definitely eat less when they free range!
Today we went to the feed store…..a co-op and all local grains are milled. The Layer 20% protein was 13.50 for 50 lbs. I thought that was bad until I saw the alpaca grain was $17.59 for 50lbs! The least expensive feed I bought was for the dairy goats and it was $11.50. For the first time, I bought Grower feed ……never realized there was a feed in between the starter and layer………..now I know. I also am feeding grower to the roosters to fatten them up. <wink> and a game pellet for the turkeys. I haven’t found anything that says
Oh, and one of my four turkey hens is making gobbler noises!!$#%^&**%^$#@#! If this turns out to be a naughty one, in the freezer he will go! My hens are here for eggs and ambiance, but the gobbler toms end up being more of a liability with their macho protective horn dog attitudes!
Laura
Laura Roberts
R Half Pint Farm
From:
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2011 1:01 PM
To:
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Chicken feed
I stopped by my local Tractor Supply Co to pick up wild bird food and thought to check out their livestock feed section. I saw several different types of chicken feed....and Whoa the prices on some of them. Where does everyone buy their feed from? And do you really need all those different types? Yes, I understand we need supplement with oyster shells, gravel bits, etc.
What about free ranging? do you still buy feed?
Any advice would be helpful...thanks!
Blessings,
MaryAnna
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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