So... My name got thrown around this thread a bunch. Thanks, my ego doesn't need the trip. I've only been at this 18 1/2 months now. My current flock is in the Sig below. I've done nothing any other person willing to invest the time reading, with a decent background in math and science, couldn't do. With that understanding, and in no particular order, because I haven't finished my coffee.
Most of the studies are not by "big Ag", but rather by "big China", who is desperately worried about feeding their population. The "big Ag" studies here in the US were largely in the late 60s, 70s, 80s. More recent studies demonstrate that our increasingly skilled efforts at breeding better birds have resulted in higher rates of lay, higher feed efficiency, and lessened mortality than even 30 years ago, and with increased nutritional needs. Which shouldn't surprise anyone. Some of the best studies on cutting edge amino acid balance are coming out of the EU, where they make use of lower protein feeds, supplimented with synthetic amino acids. Some of the best "backyard" studies - that is, raising modern birds without modern feeds, or with local crops, are coming out of India right now (also desperately worried about feeding their population). You should read them.
Any comparison between birds 100 years ago and today is like comparing ocean going navigation by sextant with GPS.
I place no value on Organic. or non-GMO. or non-Soy. or Vegan. The fact is, the world's population couldn't survive without modern farming methods, nor could we live as we do with heavily concentrated population centers driving the world economy. In the main, I find those preaching such ideals to have taken the precautionary principle way to far, or to have failed to consider the consequences of their preferred policy choices. Nevertheless, my main egg buyer is willing to pay a premium for non-GMO fed birds, so that's what I feed them. Ultimately, its not for me to tell you how to spend your money, but I am happy to talk about the little I know regarding poultry nutrition.
Re: claims of massive egg production from free range flocks. I don't believe you. Re: 2 eggs a week from old birds scavenging - yep, sounds about right, and in line with expectations of the mid 1900s. My own birds, under my management methods, are producing roughly twice that* (more currently, but I have yet to see how "winter" affects rate of lay for this generation, which could substantialy alter their average annual rate)
I happen to live in one of the most forgiving climates in the US. We average over an inch of rainfall weekly, and have a rediculously long growing season. I'm USDA zone 8a. My birds free range, all day (I rarely close their run or coop, except for hurricanes). They have 1.75A of "pasture" plus another roughly 2 3/4A of hardwood hammock, plus more "pasture" when they duck the electric fence and follow me to where I'm building my home. You can read about (incomplete) my "pasture" here. It saves me, seasonally, between about 15% and 35% on my feed bill. If I tilled the soil with heavy equipment, and engaged in deliberate plantings, I could likely bend the curve further, but not enough to cover the cost of maintaining the equipment.
You can also read about my efforts to cull my way into a bird well suited for my land, management, and conditions. It starts with lowering expectations.
No secrets here (apart from my name and exact location). While I value my privacy, I intend that others might learn from my mistakes. ...and I've made plenty.
For the typical backyard owner, of the typical backyard flock, with typical backyard conditions, offering a complete ration of an All Flock/Flock Raiser type feed, with free choice oyster shell in a seperate dish, all their lives, for all your birds, provides the simplest and most nutritionally beneficial feed program for your flock. While you are welcome to do otherwise - I obviously do - best that decision be an informed one, and that you be willing to accept the consequences of those choices.
The more I learn about feeding chickens, the more I become convinced that efforts to "homebrew" a feed solution involve more hope and prayer than reason and science, nor will it likely save you any money. Its an undertaking to embark on only if you have no other practical choice. Or, if you are blessed with an abundance of resources you wish to use very inefficiently.
Most of the studies are not by "big Ag", but rather by "big China", who is desperately worried about feeding their population. The "big Ag" studies here in the US were largely in the late 60s, 70s, 80s. More recent studies demonstrate that our increasingly skilled efforts at breeding better birds have resulted in higher rates of lay, higher feed efficiency, and lessened mortality than even 30 years ago, and with increased nutritional needs. Which shouldn't surprise anyone. Some of the best studies on cutting edge amino acid balance are coming out of the EU, where they make use of lower protein feeds, supplimented with synthetic amino acids. Some of the best "backyard" studies - that is, raising modern birds without modern feeds, or with local crops, are coming out of India right now (also desperately worried about feeding their population). You should read them.
Any comparison between birds 100 years ago and today is like comparing ocean going navigation by sextant with GPS.
I place no value on Organic. or non-GMO. or non-Soy. or Vegan. The fact is, the world's population couldn't survive without modern farming methods, nor could we live as we do with heavily concentrated population centers driving the world economy. In the main, I find those preaching such ideals to have taken the precautionary principle way to far, or to have failed to consider the consequences of their preferred policy choices. Nevertheless, my main egg buyer is willing to pay a premium for non-GMO fed birds, so that's what I feed them. Ultimately, its not for me to tell you how to spend your money, but I am happy to talk about the little I know regarding poultry nutrition.
Re: claims of massive egg production from free range flocks. I don't believe you. Re: 2 eggs a week from old birds scavenging - yep, sounds about right, and in line with expectations of the mid 1900s. My own birds, under my management methods, are producing roughly twice that* (more currently, but I have yet to see how "winter" affects rate of lay for this generation, which could substantialy alter their average annual rate)
I happen to live in one of the most forgiving climates in the US. We average over an inch of rainfall weekly, and have a rediculously long growing season. I'm USDA zone 8a. My birds free range, all day (I rarely close their run or coop, except for hurricanes). They have 1.75A of "pasture" plus another roughly 2 3/4A of hardwood hammock, plus more "pasture" when they duck the electric fence and follow me to where I'm building my home. You can read about (incomplete) my "pasture" here. It saves me, seasonally, between about 15% and 35% on my feed bill. If I tilled the soil with heavy equipment, and engaged in deliberate plantings, I could likely bend the curve further, but not enough to cover the cost of maintaining the equipment.
You can also read about my efforts to cull my way into a bird well suited for my land, management, and conditions. It starts with lowering expectations.
No secrets here (apart from my name and exact location). While I value my privacy, I intend that others might learn from my mistakes. ...and I've made plenty.
For the typical backyard owner, of the typical backyard flock, with typical backyard conditions, offering a complete ration of an All Flock/Flock Raiser type feed, with free choice oyster shell in a seperate dish, all their lives, for all your birds, provides the simplest and most nutritionally beneficial feed program for your flock. While you are welcome to do otherwise - I obviously do - best that decision be an informed one, and that you be willing to accept the consequences of those choices.
The more I learn about feeding chickens, the more I become convinced that efforts to "homebrew" a feed solution involve more hope and prayer than reason and science, nor will it likely save you any money. Its an undertaking to embark on only if you have no other practical choice. Or, if you are blessed with an abundance of resources you wish to use very inefficiently.
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Even with savings from my pasture, I feed 3 tons+/- (more plus than minus) a year, and still can't make it cost effective.
