The Official Ameraucana Forum > Housing, Health & Hatching
Great feed price 😃😃😃
Russ Blair:
I just returned from my local feed mill. I had my custom blend 20% layer ration milled for breeding season. They have a minimum of 1000lb to custom mill feed. Which after they add the 50lbs of calcium comes out to 21 bags of feed. I was shocked to see it only cost me $189 😳. That comes out to only $9 a 50lb bag. Has anybody else noticed cheaper feed bills as well? I almost told him to mill me another 1000lbs. Unfortunately I try to use it up quickly so it doesn't lose to much nutritional value. Which brings me to my second question. Is anybody familiar with how long feed can be stored before it starts diminishing nutritional value? I always try to use it up with in a month or two. But if it lasts longer I may want to take advantage of these low prices.
Mike Gilbert:
Great price! I am paying $14.15 per 50 lb bag for 19% Prince Gamebird Layena pellets. I like the pellets because there is less waste. Do you get good hatchability on that ration? If so, what else goes into it? I have no idea how long it keeps the nutritional value, but if the bags are sealed tight I would not be afraid of going 3 months.
Russ Blair:
Mike they figured it up for me 4 years ago. At that time I was experiencing substandard hatch rates. I was only feeding a 16% layer ration, on the other forum I learned most people raised protein level during breeding. That's when I had them figure out a 20% layer blend for me. They do not mill a "breeder" ration. So I am not sure how it would differ from a layer ration? Possibly there may be a difference in Vitamin content between a breeder/layer feed? Which I add vitamin supplements to the drinking water twice a week during breeding season anyway. I have noticed an improvement in my hatch rate since I started feeding this. Now with the new Dickey I have noticed even greater success. Last year I was getting around a 80%-85% hatch rate. After I eliminated a few cockerels that had fertility issues in a couple varieties. I believe they upped the protein with soy and animal products? I will ask next time I am there. I even use this feed during grow out periods as well. It's just easier for me when doing chores to have 1 feed to haul out instead of a couple. Oh $6 of this cost is for putting it in pellet form as well. I agree you have less waste with pellets.
Gina Neta:
I am very interested in the 'recipie' too Russ. Great idea to have it Pelletized too! Please share the specifics if you are able.
John W Blehm:
I think I've read feed should be fed within 3 to 4 months, but this Nutrena site that says 6 months...
http://www.nutrenaworld.com/knowledge-center/poultry/poultry-feed-frequently-asked-questions/index.jsp
--- Quote ---What is the shelf life of your poultry feeds?
When stored properly in dry, moderate temperature conditions, feed can be stored for up to 6 months. Always inspect feed prior to use for bugs, mold, or other evidence of damage.
--- End quote ---
I feed my breeders Kalmbach Feeds Game Bird Breeder w/Primalac (a probiotic). It is an 18% protein mini pellet. Amino acids (Lysine, etc.) in the feed mean less overall protein is needed because they make it more effective. In the old days higher protein meant more than today. Kalmbach Feeds assured me that their game bird feeds had all the contents needed for chickens even though the tags/labels on the bags don't name them. They just aren't listed because the law doesn't require them to be on game bird feed...only chicken feed...different regulations.
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