Homemade chicken feed

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
You are in OR. I'm across the river in WA. I have found that the best prices for BOSS are at my local farmer's co-op called Wilco. They are (on sale periodically for) $19 per 50 lb.

Reg. price = $25 per 50 lb.

I don't know what walmart's price is. I don't go there often.

Yes, they can eat them whole, but I don't feed them to chicks less than 6-8 weeks old, as I think they might choke. You must provide grit for them to grind them up in their gizzards- or free range them where they can find small rocks.

 

[seabreeze]

Thanks! I will check out our local Wilco prices as well. I can't remember what the BOSS prices are at Walmart but I will find out soon

My guys are free range and the chicks have dirt floors in the stalls we keep them in until the are old enough to head out the coop of younger birds. Do I need to supplement grit when they have access to tiny gravel and gravelly dirt?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Gosh it'd be hard for me to say without seeing the size of the rocks. All I can say is that my FIL who is an old-timer with chickens (had them for years in his youth) says I'm wasting money by buying grit with them on dirt.

I don't know if this will help or not, but at Wilco, chick grit is size #1, size #2 is for up to I think 7 weeks old and bantams probably, and #3 is for full size chickens. The bags cost about $10.

If the grit isn't large enough, it won't work, from what I have read on BYC. But I'm no grit expert.

 

[Organics North]

Grit.
I keep a 15 yard pile of rotten granite, for the drive way and projects. My birds free range so I do not worry about grit, as my birds free range. In winter they pick through the gravel/sand/dirt which is in their run.

IMO if you want to be sure you have the right size rock go get some hardware cloth. Sift an area where the chickens have access to it and see what size gravel you have. I find 1/8 to 1/4 inch stone is what they like.

I would be happy to trade someone some sand and gravel for some deep top soil.......

ON

 

[messianicmom]

Thanks! Duh...I should've thought of that!

I get my BOSS from my UNFI co-op. 25# of Org. raw w/shell for $34.73 @$1.40/pd.
or 50# of raw, shelled for $63.13 @$1.26/pd.

Rachel