Feeding Your Barnyard Friends

   Spring is arriving with chicks, hogs, and other livestock joining barnyards everywhere and I am answering many questions from new clients about feed. I am thinking that I should answers some of these questions via this blog.

   First, a lot of new clients want to mix their own feed. Many of these clients produce a grain and feel that by adding another grain or two to the mix the feed should be complete enough to supply their livestock's feed requirements. Others are reading advice on the internet from individuals who do not have the years of experience that would qualify them to be knowledgeable. Remember that the particulars of the protein levels and energy levels that a grain contains with the minerals and nutrients that livestock need are often not fully taken into consideration. Many want to eliminate corn and or wheat from a feed mix. These two grains are considered high energy and your livestock will need an increased energy level in a cold or damp environment. Additionally, many want to create a feed mix from high fiber grains. Please realize that it takes energy to digest those grains which further depletes the livestock's energy level. This fact will undoubtedly lead to poor production and unhealthy livestock if a high energy grain is not in the mix. Also, remember that you will need to add a good mineral and vitamin supplement when developing a feed mix.

   We don't recommend making your own feed as it is difficult to engineer a good recipe and it is labor intensive in a small scale environment. Instead we offer a variety of high quality complete feeds and grains that are certified organic through MOSA and the Non GMO Project Verified. Please visit rcrorganicfeedstore.com to view our product line and visit the  "Learning" section of our website.

   Meanwhile, I will spend the next several days detailing the particulars of the various grains and their usefulness in Chicken Feed as many are preparing to feed poultry.