Chicken Feed ~ Eggs
ORGANIC CHICKEN FEED
Over the years I've been ask about what we use for chicken feed. The eggs taste delicious. Many of my customers say whatever you are doing - keep it up. You get what you pay for is true once again with what you feed your animals.
I've been raising chickens organically for the past 9 years. I suppose like most folks, my goal was to supply our family with fresh eggs and then a few more people inquired and you know how that changes the story.
SEASON OF EGG SUPPLY
In the winter times, people are not out and about as much as the other season and so I approach a health food store about getting them eggs locally. They were interest if I would go through the process of getting things lined up. there are some licenses and other things that I needed to sell into the retail market. I agreed because if you don't put in some interest for yourself, you are only a taker and not a giver!
Over the years that working relationship has been great. I had a place to my eggs and my customer had a place to pick up farm fresh eggs, weekly. Our eggs are generally delivered to the customers with the current 7-day period of the egg being laid - WIN, WIN.
FRESH EGGS ARE AMAZING!!
CHICKEN FEED
So I see I have digressed a bit!
Chicken Feed is what this is about. I also choose to be soy free in my feed ration. I like that whole grains are used and not pelletized. Pelletizing requires heating the feed so as to get it the press shape; so that is consider processing, These are issues for another time; it is important factor to more people these days.
We try to have only domestically sourced grains from North and South Dakota and Iowa.
STARTER FEED
We start out with a Starter fee that is a higher protein, to give the chicks a good solid base for growth. The protein is a 22% combination of mixed grains. With this amount of protein, they will feather out quickly and that means they will enjoy the outside weather sooner. The grains are ground to be a size the young chicks can get right into quickly. The feed mix is from whole grains, not pellets. They get to eat and scratch a bit and that is a great combination.
GROWER FEED
At about 8 weeks we make a transition to Grower Feed which has a protein rate of 20% -- the grind is a little larger too. We do this raition until the chicks are 18 -22 weeks. Again whole grains.
LAYER MASH
So as they get closer to laying age -- that depends on your hens. Each breed does it differently. We move into a Layer Mash - 16% protein. Layer Mash has higher levels of calcium for harder shells when laying. Our chickens typically start laying about 25 - 30 weeks.
The breed that we have is called Red or Black Star -- great layers, usually one egg per day without additional light. We have used a mixed blend of breeds, you get color and interesting personalities. It's fun to watch them. We usually keep our hens any where from 18 - 30 months and they would probsbly do well much longer.
Finisher
The feed-free choice is at 5-8 weeks of age or until the bird is at the desired weight. Continue to offer grit and oyster shells. Continue feeding through nine weeks of age. This can also be fed to birds that will be kept as layers
LAYER
Cracked/ground corn, oats, sesame flour, ground peas, ground wheat, alfalfa meal, ground flax, kelp, vitamins & minerals
GROWER
Ground corn, field peas, sesame flour, flazseed, wheat mix, fishmeal, w/Natrox, alfalfa meal, kelp, yeast compounds, vitamins and minerals.
STARTER
Canola meal, ground corn, ground flax, fishmeal, alfalfa, kelp, vitamins and minerals.
WATER, GRIT AND OYSTER SHELLS
At all times offer free - choices of grit and oyster shells with fresh water. The water is of the upmost importance. They need that for creating the egg and they need it to process their feed. Fresh water is a must so they will eat well.
YOU WANT TO HAVE GREAT EGGS!
I think it is great that eggs do not have to crumble in your hands when you want to use them - ugh messy if those are yourse!! Our egg shells are nice and hard, when I candle them I usually will keep the "checks" for us there is nothing wrong with them.
So if you are like me and want to raise your own food for your family; in this case, eggs. Starting out with chickens and organic feed is a place to start. I'm so glad that I pursued my goal and have been happy about these steps ever since. Contact me if you have further questions or if you are inteested in purchasing feed from us.
~~ Nancy - Todd Ranch
Copyright 2025 - Todd Ranch - Terms & Conditions