Feed prices

[SatinsRule]

BCR, I've run across the Country Acres feeds on a few occasions. I know it's a Purina Mills product, but just out of curiosity, what kind of feed is it? Do you get solid results in terms of growth and development?

 

[akane]

If you know the person producing the organic items and their methods it can be worth it. Organic is not a very well regulated label though. Way too much slips through and it can lead to less healthy food or animals if done wrong. I know some people who won't touch organic labelled eggs, milk, or meat after seeing the health of the animals some commercial growers try to keep organically without losing space and profits. The guy we get our organic hay from has explained his entire process, showed us all his fields, told us where he got his seed, where he gets his fertilizer, etc... It is very good quality, weed free, and definitely without chemicals even from neighboring fields since he owns a huge amount of land all in one section and maintains a buffer zone, followed by his livestock pastures, and then the hay in the center. I do not pay extra for commercial organic stuff from the store without other reasons behind it besides the organic label but I will buy from certified organic local individuals who have proven to produce good quality products and go the extra mile.

 

[MaggieJ]

In Canada, "Certified Organic" is a very specific designation and is monitored closely. I realize that this is not always the case elsewhere and I agree with Akane that your best assurance is knowing the producer and the methods he uses.

 

[sommrluv]

There is an organic feed mill in PA that sells 50lb rabbit feed for around $25. We've been considering it. It's a three hour drive but it's very close to where I get all of my own dry goods at a menn. store (flours, grains, etc.)

We're also considering going to to an all stock feed for the chickens/rabbits of oats, wheat, foraged items, and free ranging.

 

[SterlingSatin]

wow, my mouth is hanging open at these prices! my feed is only $8.50 a (40 lb) bag and a LARGE bale of alfalfa hay is $5.00. sounds like you all are paying through the nose compared to me. must be my area? idk. i use heinhold pellets 16%/18%.

 

[Pickles]

Pickles, You should watch the show ******** (sorry all, that is really the name of the show) They prove that things are a bunch of crap. They had a good one on Organic things. After you watch it, and really think about it...where and how your organic stuff is grown blah blah blah, you will think twice about paying the higher prices for it. Its a nice thought to feed your rabbits healthy feed, but buying organic isn't as "healthy" as they say it is.

Didnt mean to stir a debate, but I think organic is definetly worth it... sorry, but its not "bs" atall. I care how my products are made that I consume and my animals consume. And knowing that their feed was not made from product grown with genetically modified seed, and no pesticides were used, etc... makes a huge difference to me.
I am however, not the biggest fan at the price I am paying, but the feed I use is a pro-biotic, too, and fortified with omega-3... and let me just say I must be doing something right because my doe "Saffi" who has been raised on organics just won 2 BOB's under 2 different judges at the Music City RBA show this past saturday- her very first show! I am, however, looking for a cheaper organic option, but till then, I'll stay with what I am using.

 

[sommrluv]

Here's the place I had referenced. The website is a little bare.

http://www.organicfeedmill.com/Distributers.php

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I use LoneStar Commercial Pellets 16% at 11.50 for 50lbs. I have been pretty happy with it, I supplement CalfManna (get the big bag at TSC and use a coupon from the Manna Pro site for $2 off) and whole oats. The last bag I got had a lot of corn in it for some reason, which is funny because it is not supposed to contain corn. The latest bag I got did not have it, so I am assuming it was a mill malfunction. Anyway, I would like to use Petrus, but no one here stocks it and the LoneStar is sold around the corner from my house. It seems to work well, so I will stick with it. I have tried hay cubes, but I like real hay better. I have been getting small bags of Timothy hay from TSC because it seems fresher and softer than the hay I bought in a bale.

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

BCR, I've run across the Country Acres feeds on a few occasions. I know it's a Purina Mills product, but just out of curiosity, what kind of feed is it? Do you get solid results in terms of growth and development?

Just now seeing this Satin, sorry!
Anyway, I haven't been feeding it for long enough to really see any results yet. Shaded Night feeds it as well and she told me that it does wonderful things to the rabbits coats. It's a higher protein - 18% - but I have found that I haven't had to lower the amount that I feed my rabbits because of this...right now I've actually had to increase the amount, but it could also that I was feeding too little on 16% to begin with, and now I'm just having to catch up to it.

Emily