Switching to Organic feed

[Panther]

I have been using standard layer mash for my free range hens, but I really want to go 100% organic if possible.

I finally found a supplier that is a reasonable price, but the catch is that it is whole grain, not a mash or crumble. I will be adding soya mash to raise protein content, but 85% will be whole grain.

Do you think the hens will digest the whole grain?

[Bearfootfarm]

Do you think the hens will digest the whole grain?

Certainly, since that's their natural diet

[pancho]

Originally Posted by Panther

I have been using standard layer mash for my free range hens, but I really want to go 100% organic if possible.

I finally found a supplier that is a reasonable price, but the catch is that it is whole grain, not a mash or crumble. I will be adding soya mash to raise protein content, but 85% will be whole grain.

Do you think the hens will digest the whole grain?

Inside of every chicken they have an organ made especially for this purpose.
The gizzard.

[Panther]

agreed!

Now with the run covered in snow, should I throw down some kind of sand or something so they can grind up the whole grains?

Sorry, my newb farm vocabulary isn't complete yet.

[sammyd]

you should be able to get grit where you get your feed. sand won't do much need some bigger stuff

[Horseyrider]

If your purpose is to be as organic as possible, stay away from soybeans and corn. 94% of the soybeans and 86% of the corn produced in this country is GMO. Adding wheat or oats is easy and those haven't been messed with. Yet.

[Panther]

Yep, I agree. But I've been told that my organic feed is too low on protein content. That's the reason for the soy. Any other way to boost protein content?

[ai731]

Originally Posted by Panther

Yep, I agree. But I've been told that my organic feed is too low on protein content. That's the reason for the soy. Any other way to boost protein content?

Told by who? What is the protein content of the organic feed? I'm surprised that a feed dealer is selling a mixed chicken feed "too low" in protein, unless it's meant as a "scratch" feed. What brand of organic feed is it? Do you have meat birds or layers? You should be able to get organic soy from the same supplier as the mixed chicken feed.

[Panther]

I'm not getting it from a dealer. I'm buying it directly from the farmer who grows it. The feed is for my layers.

It's a mix of Barley and Oats, whole grain. That's only 12 % protein. So I'm mixing soy (which is 48%) into it to bring it up to around 20% total protein.

[goatlady]

That soy most probably IS GM, so you are wasting your $$ buying the organic oats and barley, defeating your whole purpose. My hens will not eat barley, they just throw it on the ground.

[Horseyrider]

Mine is 18%, but I can't tell you the brand because I dump it into bins as soon as it comes. It's a white background with lime green and maize graphics, if that helps. Okay, so it doesn't help.

You can use other things to boost protein. I use meat scraps from our grassfed beef, BOSS (only 15% but it makes them so happy!), and cat food for treats. I usually get BG Salmon or EVO Salmon because neither contain chicken. It squicks me to feed chicken to chickens. Both are high quality, and run about 42% protein. I give it to my barn cats too. While not organic, both are grain free, so I'm avoiding the GMO thing. I feel I really need to vote with my dollars on that issue; no GMO in my house. Or the barn either, for that matter.

Other possibilities might be leftover milk or Calf Manna. I haven't looked into the ingredients of Calf Manna in years, but I remember it's milk based and anise flavored. Most livestock love it. And it's 25% protein. SBM runs 44%, so if you can find organic it'd be worth buying, although not many critters like to eat it.

[Dazlin]

What is GMO ??

[coon18]

GMO = genetically modified organisms

[lilachill]

I use beef liver from the cow butchering to up protein. I do cook it and slice it into small pieces. The amount is not precise. I try to feed as much as they will eat so the cats are not jumping into the run to clean up the left overs. The cats do get their share too.

[Dazlin]

I switched to feed mill. He mixes his own. Supposed to be 17% protein. The corn content is 65%...I was a little concerned about that, but everyone seems to be laying fine, and are all healthy. I used to add some BOSS, and a handful of 30 % gamebird, but the cost is rediculous, had to cut back somewhere.