Local Feed Mill vs. Feed Store?

[chickeepoo]

Any of the more experienced poultry people have opinions on buying feed from the local feed store like Tractor Supply vs. a feed mill? And ARE there any feed mills in Central Florida, or is that only farther North and West? Just wondering how the flooding in the Midwest is going to affect prices/availability in time, and what would be alternate feed sources.

 

[kstaven]

I can't help you with locating a mill. But I can say that my experience has always been that feed is much better quality and much fresher from the mill than by dealing with name brand big boy suppliers. Price has always been better also.

 

[wynedot55]

yes if you have a feed mill in your area that mixes chicken feed.id buy it from there.

 

[Chick_a_dee]

We buy all our feed, from our local feed store/mill .. he's not a TSC or anything, he's actually a Masterfeeds dealer, anyway... since the place is privately owned, he gets to choose the stock he wants to carry, and he carries ALL KINDS of amazing feeds. My cat and dogs are on the chicken soup for the dog and cat lovers soul, and they're healthier than ever. When we get our chickens, they'll be on the chick starter he carries, plus he also carries to omega-3 feed.

 

[Skyesrocket]

I like the feed from the feed mill. It seems more fresh and the prices are better. They make it right at the mill...well most of it.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

DH brings ours home from the feedmill. Here there are a lot of dairy and small hobby farms that get their feed at the mill and while they are there they get their chicken feed too. I have had chickens for a year and not once had a bad bag. I think it's because there is a high turnover so it is fresh.

 

[ams3651]

Today was the last time I will go into Tractor Supply looking for feed. It was the third time in 2 months they had NO starter, of any size bag, NONE. I went 20 minutes in the opposite direction and got a 50lb bag at the feed mill for $4 less. My uncle gets his there so I can just ask him to get it for me in the future.

 

[Reece Farms]

Support your local feed mill-there arent many around anymore and they deserve the business. These mills that have been around and family owned for the last century are getting run out of town by the tractor supply craphouse stores. We also believe the qaulity and freshness is much better. And you cant beat the price-so its really a no brainer.

 

[Colored Egg Farmer]

My feed stores are always more expensive The feed mill is cheeper due to the fact they make it themselves most of them time. Feed stores are only a middle man unless they make it and add to the price. I get mine directly from the feed mill in large quanities and get a cheeper price.

 

[MrGreenJeans]

I was wondering about this too, because I had less time than I thought before my chicks arrived, so I rushed out and bought big name brand starter from a place I knew stocked it. Then I noticed they picked through it alot (which I figure is normal) - but I would crush some with my fingernail and feed it from my hand. My buttercup especially loves this, and always goes for the yellow bits first.

So I bit the bullet, called another local feed store who stocks feed from the local (well, 100 miles north) mill, and here's the comparison:

American quarter and dime for size comparison, and some "Kitchen Bouquet" for a color reference - it was the only yellow I had on hand. Both are "Starter Crumbles" - I'm sold on local !