Fertrell's Poultry Nutri-Balancer Feed Supplement

If you’ve done any research on how to make your own chicken feed, then you’ve definitely heard of Fertrell’s Poultry Nutri-Balancer.  This popular feed supplement has been around since 1996.  I talked to Jeff Mattocks, a nutritionist at Fertrell, who has represented the supplement since it’s inception.  He told me why this Nutri-Balancer is an original and best on the market, and the results his customers have seen from using it.

Initially the feed supplement was designed for organic pastured layer poultry, or free-range layer chickens.  It is recommended also for broilers and poultry in all stages of life.  It has been so successful the formula has not needed adjustments or updates.

The nutrients well exceed USDA standards for health.  It provides 10-20% more than the daily recommended amounts, ensuring your chickens will not experience any deficiencies.  Specifically, the organic supplement contains kelp meal (an ignored additive in the past), probotics which are beneficial bacteria, and chelated minerals (chemically processed minerals to make them more digestible or “bioavailable”.)

Here are two specific examples Jeff shared with me that he heard directly from users of the Nutri-Balancer:

Modern breeds of broilers are genetically engineered to grow fast and meaty.  Because of the breeding they have genetic anomalies that make them susceptible to leg related illnesses (sprattle, curly toe, and a type of viral arthritis).  Farmers who previously had problems with these diseases in their flock found it disappeared when they started using the Nutri-Balancer.  The chickens maintained normal mobility.

A common concern with layer chickens is the integrity of their egg shells.  Easily broken eggs defeats the purpose of producing them.  The Nutri-Balancer contains phosphate which specifically supports a layer’s absorption of calcium.  Jeff recommends ground sea shells or coral calcium as a diet supplement at the onset of lay because of its pre-digested form.  Customers now report to him it takes two whacks to crack the egg for their morning omelets.

Perhaps at this point you are interested in giving the formula a try yourself.  There are multiple avenues to take.  First, you will not find the organic supplement in standard feed on the shelves of your local farm and feed stores. Some organic feed producers use this supplement in the complete feeds they mix (other producers have their own “patented” formulas).  Much of this feed is sold in bulk.  We have special arrangements with two producers where you can purchase it in bags through our online store (states of Virginia and Missouri).

Others poultry owners mix their own feed and add the Nutri-Balancer.  You can find recommended ingredients and portions on Fertrell’s website.  You can purchase the supplement (60 lbs bag) through regional dealers which you’ll also find listed on their website.  Since mixing your own feed is only cost effective in large batches, many backyard chicken owners prefer to purchase complete feeds that already contain it.  You can learn the pros and cons we believe about mixing you own feed here.

Fertrell’s Poultry Nutri-Balancer is a premium product that carries a premium price, but the results speak for themselves.  Complaints about its performance is something Jeff says he’s never really experienced.   If you have questions that haven’t been addressed in this blog post, please leave a comment.  I’ll make sure you get the answer from the expert.

A topic of discussion I see frequently on online discussion boards is how much organic feed to provide foraging poultry.   All feeds such as starter, layer, etc. are considered complete feeds, meaning it contains all the nutrients the chicken needs. This introduces the question, why let chickens free-range and how does this impact their growth or egg production?

I contacted Jo Robinson, an industry expert on livestock nutrition and author of many books including “Pasture Perfect” and “Why Grassfed is Best”.  She shared with me some terrific tips on why grass-feeding is important and how to balance that with feed rations for your backyard poultry.

My first question was simply, is egg production affected by extent of pasturing?  The answer was it depends if one wants quality or quantity.   Grassfed chickens have access to nutrients and vitamins that are not available in the same quantity in any feeds, including organic.  For example, these eggs are substantially higher in Omega 3 fatty-acids and vitamin D.  Strictly feed fed chickens produce a greater number of eggs but with Omega 6, a less desirable fatty-acid, and are much lower in vitamin D.  You can learn more about grass-fed findings and its statistics on the website www.eatwild.com.

Chicken feed is still an important part of a poultry’s diet when they are raised for consumption purposes.  With organic feed I like to think about what’s not in it vs. the additives and chemicals that are in traditional feeds.  For example you don’t have to worry about medications, preservatives, pesticides, and GMO grains.  On the other hand, organic feed provides substantial protein and other supplements that complement the grass feeding.

If you aren’t already pasturing your poultry, here are Jo’s tips on how to do it best.  Choose a location that is nice and green and free of debris.  Make sure the area has not be chemically treated or exposed to toxic run-off.  This means muddy farm lots do not apply.  Keep the grass around 3″-5″ tall.  Freshly mowed grass makes it even easier for chickens to feast.

Older breeds of chickens take to grass feeding more naturally than some of the newer, production oriented breeds.   If your chickens appear hesitant, let them forage for the first part of the day and then feed free-choice in the latter.   Chicken tractors (coops on wheels) are terrific for letting poultry forage and stay protected at the same time. For larger flocks, an electric poultry fence (these are portable) along with a movable coop, offers pasturing and predator  protection simultaneously.  Chickens are good about running into the coop when danger lurks.

You’ve probably noticed that I haven’t provided any numbers for quantities of feed.  That because the variables are too great to create an “equation” for the best answer.  The most important items to consider are availability of green grass, temperature and season (extreme heat and cold naturally decreases the rate-of-lay - ROL), and how you would like to see your chickens perform.  A acceptable ROL and deep orange egg yolks are a good indicator you’ve found the right balance.

I had the good fortune today to spend a few minutes on the weekday show of Andy Schneider, the Chicken Whisperer. We talked a little about why some people are willing to pay a lot more for organic feed than buying standard feed, and also how this website helps you find your closest source of organic chicken feed.  Please check out the episode out on Blog Talk Radio.

A particular ingredient in our organic poultry feed from CA has caught my eye recently.  One reason was I had not seen the ingredient used in other organic feeds, another is my parents have become raving promoters of this substance for their own health reasons, and lastly we had a customer willing to pay almost $100 to have this particular feed shipped to her across the country.

What is this magical mystery? – Oil of Oregano.  If you are familiar with the ancient essential oil then it’s probably no surprised.  If this is a fairly new concept to you, don’t feel bad.  This herbal medicine has been popular for years around the world, but not until recently in the United States.  Perhaps we should thank our strong pharmaceutical industry for this.

Oil of Oregano functions as a natural antibiotic and supports a healthy digestive system for both humans and animals.  Its benefits are not shrouded in “snake-oil” speak but have been scientifically proven to show results.  You can read here about an Oil of Oregano product used in a study with layer poultry.  In summary it explains how the health of a pullet’s first 16 weeks of life sets the course for her growth and laying productivity.  The oil was found to be an effective combatant to coccidiosis outbreaks, a debilitating disease that can affect poorly managed poultry. 

Disease enters a body, often through the mouth.  For chickens it’s their inadvertent consumption of fecal matter from pecking and scratching at the ground.  The digestive system that does a great job spreading nutrients throughout the body can unfortunately also support the spread of infection.  Oil of Oregano is not the only natural remedy for managing digestive track health.  Other essential oils, natural salts, and even dirt (more specifically clays or diatomaceous earth) contain properties that naturally protect and heal from invading parasites.

Our CA mill has spent considerable time researching the best natural feed additives for the well being of poultry.  Their complete feeds provide nutrients that are difficult to substitute with ordinary feed or table scraps and foraging.  Visit our online store today to get some for your favorite chickens.

Soybean is a major ingredient in livestock feeds, with chicken feed containing the highest proportions. Almost half of the beans processed for livestock feed are for chicken feed. That’s because soybeans contain 38% protein, an essential nutrient for poultry.

If soy is such a prevalent and industry accepted ingredient in regular and organic chicken feed, why should we be worried? Much of it depends on your personal nutritional beliefs or needs. I’ll share with you the major concerns held by many food conscious folks, so you can make an informed decision for yourself about what to feed your chickens.

Originating in China, soybeans have been consumed by humans for thousands of years. It’s only been in the last century that the way we eat soy has changed dramatically. Fermentation is how soy was first prepared for eating. It was a side dish that complimented the rest of the meal. Raw soy is not fit for consumption and can be considered toxic. Today’s soy is processed in variety of methods (not fermented) which denatures the proteins and increases levels of carcinogens.

Soy is a prevalent ingredient in almost all processed foods. Those with a soy allergen (it’s one of the top eight food allergens for humans) know this best. It’s in fast-foods, baby food, processed meat, breads, etc. Unless you are very conscious of everything you eat, it is easy to consume an unregulated amount of soy products every day.

Perhaps you are not allergic to soy, here are some other findings that may be important to you. Soy is not a complete protein (as commonly believed), lacking some important amino acids. Soy foods can cause deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D. Soy increases levels of estrogen (possibly simulating the growth of related tumors) and decreases levels of testosterone. It has been related to pre-mature sexual development in females, and delayed development in males. Animal studies show soy foods causes infertility in animals.

Because soy is a prolific food allergen, the FDA requires it to be listed clearly as an ingredient in processed foods. At this time the FDA does not require meat, raised on soy feeds, to be disclosed. People highly allergic to soy are affected by this.

Soybean is the human choice for animal feed, thus covertly making it another avenue into our daily consumption of it. Chickens receive the highest level of exposure, and it is retained in their meat and eggs. If you are allergic to soy, or concerned about levels of consumption, soy-free organic chicken feed is produced by two organic feed mills in the USA (in VA and IL). You can order it in our online store today.

Have you ever considered what kind of dirt your chickens scratch, lay, and peck through everyday?  If you eat their eggs and/or the chickens themselves, you are internalizing any toxins they have consumed.  

They may be eating organic feed and the good table scraps you provide, but they could also be ingesting lead and other chemicals if their foraging ground is tainted.  Here are some important considerations for where your poultry live (and eat):  In or next to old painted buildings, ground that contains or use to contain refuse, and ground that is or has been heavily farmed with pesticides or other chemicals.  These toxins can hang around for many years, especially lead.

This is a real-life, serious issue.  I recently read a discussion post on Yahoo’s OrganicChickens about this exact issue.  A lady was raising a few poultry and unwittingly feeding her kids eggs that were tainted with lead. Fortunately she figured out there was a problem and had the ground tested.  Sure enough, it was full of lead from old paint on the surrounding building.

What have you heard about this?  Please share.

Here is some official research on the matter (2003,  but still relevant).

I was recently asked by one of our customers how to extend the shelf-life of her organic feed for as long as possible. She has two Silkies as family pets so she wants the best feed available, but obviously doesn’t use large quantities at a time. Since the standard purchase size of feed is 50 lbs (when not buying bulk), for her it can sit around for a while. This was a pretty good question so I turned to the experts I know in the industry. Brett, at a certified organic mill in IA, was very helpful.

The main enemy to organic feed is heat. It essentially “cooks” it. Other common problems are mold and pests.  We’ll keep pests as another blog discussion, and focus on temperature and moisture level in this one. The best ambient temperature for feed storage is about 50 degrees fahrenheit. The basement is an excellent place as long as it is a dry one (for example, don’t put the feed close to where the sump pump is located).

All feed has a relative amount of moisture. It comes from its grain and corn ingredients. Organic grain suppliers measure the level of moisture in their products, and buyers (mills) use that information in their purchasing decisions. For example, the IA mill buys grain with less than 13% moisture. Moisture level and exposure to mold spores is what contributes to the growth of mold. Feed needs to “breathe” but not be overly open to what’s floating in the air and of course pests.

If you plan to store feed without accessing it for a few months, then keeping it sealed in its bag and in the cool, dry storage location is best. If you plan to use the feed and still want to prolong shelf-life, then transfer it to a plastic or wooden storage container with a lid. Metal or tin containers retain heat. Don’t forget the ambient climate.

Some fancy coops you can buy today, like Henspa, come with a feeder/storage bin.  If you keep your feed “healthy”, then it can withstand the higher temperatures of a couple of days in a feeder without going bad.

When examining stored feed a good question to ask yourself is would you eat it. I know I’m picky about regular food that’s been exposed to open air for only a few hours. If any of my food looks funny, it’s most likely going in the trash. Organic feed does not come cheap so keeping it fresh for your livestock ensures they are getting the nutrition they need, and a fair return in your investment.