Feed Prices Jump Down On The Farm

[KevsFarm]

On the chicken farm i work at part time, broiler mash, laying mash and all pellets jump $1.50 a bag(50lb) this week...My boss said it was the single largest feed increase he ever saw in one shot.He's 57 yrs old and followed in his dads footsteps poultry farming, so they have seen many feed supply bills over the decades..! Makes one wonder about alternative feeding methods for sure..! Lots and lots of freeranging i suppose,of course thats not really and option for really large poultry operations.
As time goes on, i think the small freeranging home flocks are going to be more valuable.

 

[Bubblingbrooks]

Buying whole grains in bulk is a good alternative.
Here in Alaska,we buy local barley by the ton, for $230.
Per 1 ton of Barley, I use 100 pounds of fishmeal.
We also use BOSS, but I did not keep track of how much this time.

 

[Shiloh Acres]

Friend of mine was complaining about that this morning. He just went out and processed about 50 cockerels because they were costing too much to feed.

I am SO THANKFUL that my current mixed chicken flock freeranges so well. Even through the winter most of them laid orange yolks. The silkies (my brooders) are the best, and I'm hoping they will teach the hatchlings the same.

My last flock were a lazy, spoiled bunch. They had a 40 pound hanging feeder in the coop and did most of their eating there in spite of being allowed a NICE free-range lot in mild Florida weather with a good variety of forage.

I don't even know what my current flock are finding to eat out there. Most of the vegetation has died down and we had a good bit of snow and ice cover. Most days they eat very little feed and are antsy to be released and get out in the yards and go a-hunting. Good chickens!!!

And I plan to grow as much feed as possible this year, and I still need to look into buying grains, etc. and mixing instead of pellets. That was supposed to be a January project. Since I've seen three price increases already this year, I need to get on the ball with that!

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

thats why we say "get out there and free range - its FREE"

wow.. say it isnt so. we had a $2/bag increase last fall so i'm cringing at what it will be when we go down to the feed store tomorrow.

we've also taken up whole grains. but really - with the better weather the clucks would rather be out there scratchin it up than hanging at the feeder.

plus now that we have our goat back - the hens have been pushing each other down to get a beakful of the milky-goodness.

 

[rebecca100]

I hate to say it, but the more feed prices increase the more I think about giving up. We can't freerange due to the neighbors garden and it is getting SO expensive to take care of what little livestock we have. But at the same time it is getting expensive to eat. Maybe we'll go veggie-terian and just keep a garden.

 

[Bubblingbrooks]

I hate to say it, but the more feed prices increase the more I think about giving up. We can't freerange due to the neighbors garden and it is getting SO expensive to take care of what little livestock we have. But at the same time it is getting expensive to eat. Maybe we'll go veggie-terian and just keep a garden.

Start hunting and fishing more

 

[FarmerChick]

I saved tons of money cause I would buy a ton at a time.

but that is over...WEE...I am savings TONS of money now not buying tons of feed per week LOL


yup, there is nothing that won't get nailed with big price increases. Happening on every single item big time and my stupid gas jumped from 3.09 to 3.18 today !!!

 

[Wifezilla]

If you have room for a garden you can supplement your animal's feed. After all, you get more nutrients out of meat, milk and eggs than you do veggies. May as well grow quinoa, amaranth, corn greens, etc... and let the animals convert it in to more usable nutrients.

 

[Denim Deb]

If you have room for a garden you can supplement your animal's feed. After all, you get more nutrients out of meat, milk and eggs than you do veggies. May as well grow quinoa, amaranth, corn greens, etc... and let the animals convert it in to more usable nutrients.

I plan on growing what I can for the animals, as well as giving them all the table scraps that are OK for them to eat.

 

[KevsFarm]

BubblingBrooks.....do you guys find that the fishmeal affects the flavor of your eggs..? I suppose the fishmeal would be the main protein source..? I don't believe rye has to much protein, but is still good for the girls.I think i read somewhere that a person who had tried fishmeal in their hens food found that their eggs tasted a little fishy...
I know the fisheries up your way is big buisiness.So you folks can likely get fishmeal at a reasonable price..? Just curious....