What chickens eat directly affects their overall health and the quality of the eggs they produce. That much should not be surprising—after all, you wouldn’t want to eat a donut every day and then wonder why your six-pack turned into a one-pack! But what is probably more interesting is the complexity of modern livestock feeds. Seriously, these feeds have more ingredients than a hipster smoothie bowl!
The building blocks of feed perform specific functions:
Proteins & Amino Acids: Essential amino acids like methionine and lysine must be provided for egg production and muscle growth.
Energy Sources: Requires the right mix of carbohydrates (corn, wheat) and fats (vegetable oils, fish oil).
Vitamins & Minerals: A precise ratio of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and trace minerals is needed to prevent deficiencies.
A balanced feed for egg layers is built on:
16-17% protein
2-3% fat
3-4% fiber
3-4% calcium
Achieving this requires mixing up to 40 different ingredients in precise proportions. Domestic livestock animals are intricate beings that cannot simply adapt to leftovers and whatever they encounter. We do provide our layers with kitchen scraps, cracked corn, and other treats, but only in the morning, allowing them to digest these occasional treats and expend the energy throughout the day.
A primary concern we have in Florida is excess fat in the diet. Chickens will accumulate fat in their subcutaneous layer, on their heart, and their liver. Sudden death syndrome is linked to excess fat in chickens and low heat tolerance (which is why it is a concern in Florida), resulting in poor egg production.
Farmers have several options for procuring quality feed. The most widely available are feeds from local feed and farming supply stores. These are good options, and we previously used Kalmbach Feeds successfully. The per-pound price on these feeds hits your bottom line. A layer chicken will consume 1.5 lbs of feed per week, which adds up when multiplied by 100x, 200x, etc. The struggle all farmers face is finding quality inputs at a cost that fits within the pricing structures in your markets.
This situation prompted us to look for feed alternatives that offer both quality and affordability. We considered custom milling according to our specifications or purchasing large quantities from suppliers nationwide. However, the issue with national orders is the transportation costs. Shipping multiple tons of feed from Midwestern farm states eliminates any feed price savings.
We searched in Florida, finding Swan's Feed Mill in Zephyrhills, north of Tampa. Well-regarded in the farming community, Swan's provides several options for layers and will customize their formula to your specific requirements. We went with a feed with 16% protein, 2.5% fat, 3.5% calcium, and 4% fiber.
We love supporting local Florida businesses and won't compromise on feed quality. It's a special moment when we get to do both.
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