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Feeding in preparation for hatching

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Barkley:

--- Quote from: Mike Gilbert on December 15, 2013, 02:12:03 PM ---   Make sure they are on a complete breeder ration for at least a month before saving hatching eggs. 

--- End quote ---

Mike,

Could you expand on what a breeder ration is in your opinion? 

in my town I have a choice of buying pre-bagged feed at TSC or driving 20 miles to a feed mill and getting a custom mix. There are a couple other feed sources but they are also offering pre-bagged starter and layer feeds.

I have been feeding the TSC layer feed and have had good luck hatching new hampshires and cochins the past two years, but I am happy to step things up a bit for the show chickens.

Thanks,
Jerry

Mike Gilbert:

I have tried mixing my own with fish meal, alfalfa meal, layer concentrate, corn & oats.   I believe the concentrate had a lot of soy in it.   But I have had better luck with the scientifically formulated bagged feed.   The only one I have tried is Purina Gamebird Breeder Layena.   It is expensive but may be worth it.   I don't claim to be any kind of nutrition expert.

John:

--- Quote ---pre-bagged feed
--- End quote ---
The Kalmbach Game Bird Breeder that I feed is an 18% mini pellet.  A couple local friends and I buy 3+ tons at a time together to get a discount.  It is delivered my semi.  This last time it was $12.89/bag and that was about a buck/bag cheaper than a year ago.
TSC is generally convenient, but pricey and if you search around you may find better options.  At one time I drove 20 miles to get feed, but I bought at least 20 bags at a time to make the trip worth while.  Coming up with a little co-op like my friends and I do works great and the 3 tons can be any feed from Kalmbach...not just poultry feed.
Jerry,
There is a Heinold Feeds out of IN and they may have a dealer near your area.

Mike Gilbert:
The nearest Kalmbach dealer from me is about a 3.5 hour drive - one way.

John:
With the 3 ton minimum they deliver, plus give a 2% discount if we pay within so many days.  My price includes 6% MI sales tax too that I write off on my taxes.  They deliver the bagged feed on pallets in stretch wrap.  They have a portable fork lift that they use to put the pallets in the one guy's barn.  The rest of us just have to drive to his place to pickup our feed.  It saves a lot on gas too.
The order can be made up of dog food, rabbit feed, etc. and with enough neighbors ordering together it works out well. 
Before going with Kalmbach, two of us used to order thru an ADM distributor.  The minimum was 1 ton and they delivered to my place.  The bags were stacked on little plastic pallets that were put in the shed with a dolly...the truck had a Tommy Lift.  Once again there was a discount for paying within so many days and a big savings in gas.

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