Black sunflower meal as feed?

Dusky Beauty · #1 08/09/12, 03:23 PM

I'm hunting up better and more economical food sources and someone is advertising this on craigslist:Live stock feed!!!! High quality sunflower meal

I feed a dairy dexter cow, turkeys, ducks and chickens (layers and meaties). On first google search it looks like a good value for protein. Is this something that I would need to use as a base for mixing feed? or is it supposed to be a complete feed? Is it any good?

rhelynn · #2 08/09/12, 03:33 PM

I'm all ears waiting for someone to chime in too - I've been growing and collecting sunflower seeds as a hopeful addition to my chicken feed - and sustainable type crop (I'm not looking to buy it at the co-op).

My instincts say that it is too rich to feed by itself - needs to be mixed up with something lower grade and well-mixed. I would like to hear what the difference in feeding goats/sheep/cows and chickens/ducks would be for this kind of thing. I have fund in growing it myself that the goat loves the stalks thrown out over her fence - but she is our first 'trial' goat and she seems to have weird tastes!

~Maria in TN

Soupmaker · #3 08/09/12, 03:47 PM

What's the protein cintent? I doubt it can be used as a complete feed.

Lizza · #4 08/09/12, 03:49 PM

We feed Black Oil Sunflower Seeds to our dairy goats and dairy cows, for extra protein and shiny coats, we mix this in with a dairy 16 feed. So I don't see why it wouldn't be good?

Dusky Beauty · #5 08/09/12, 04:03 PM

I like that its NON soy protein.

pancho · #6 08/09/12, 04:22 PM

Sure not much info there.
Sunflower shells are not the good part of sunflower seeds.
Wonder if this all powdered shells?
I would ask for more info before I bought any.
They don't even say how much you get for the money.

Alice In TX/MO · #7 08/09/12, 04:29 PM

Sunflower seeds are $36 per 50 pounds here. Kind of expensive except as a supplement.

uncle Will in In. · #8 08/09/12, 04:44 PM

Is this the meal that is left after the oil has been extracted?? Similar to soybean oil meal??

Paquebot · #9 08/09/12, 05:59 PM

Sunflower meal is what's left over after the oil is extracted. 32% crude protein, 16% crude fat, 19% crude fiber.

Martin

DamnearaFarm · #10 08/09/12, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Sunflower seeds are $36 per 50 pounds here. Kind of expensive except as a supplement.

I don't even know what they're running now. I stopped feeding them to the horses when they hit 22 dollars a bag years ago.

am1too · #11 08/09/12, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamblinRoseRanc

I don't even know what they're running now. I stopped feeding them to the horses when they hit 22 dollars a bag years ago.

I would think one might get 50 times as much if it were planted and harvested.

I am seriously thingking about it.

DamnearaFarm · #12 08/10/12, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by am1too

I would think one might get 50 times as much if it were planted and harvested.

I am seriously thingking about it.

Yeah, if one has the space to grow it. Let us know how it turns out, should you decide to do it. I do recall reading somewhere that a lot of folks have to put nets over the individual flowers to keep the birds from eating the seeds before they are ready to harvest.

gunnar wordon · #13 08/10/12, 03:03 PM

very high in fat, very expensive around here....... use sparingly.