Wow, that's neat that it utilizes the whole cob, no waste, and saves you money!!

Cinnamonhuskies:

I was thinking of bird seed too....maybe it's cheaper than the bought chicken feed seed?

It depends, but I think that buying bird seed is more expensive than chicken feed. I just had bird seed on hand so I tried that. Chicken feed usually has cracked corn in it which won't grow, but I think a lot of the rest is pretty much what you get in a regular bird seed package. 

35 lbs of generic wild bird seed was $9.99 at Tractor Supply today, cracked corn was $10.79! terrible!

Scratch grains for chickens are only $6.25....they have 8.5 % protein instead of 16% layer mash....still wondering if it's a viable alternative if I supplement the protein with fresh milk?? My bulk layer is $21 for 100 lbs.) 

I pay .35 cents a lb for chicken feed and I think the bag of bird seed was around $3.45 at Walmart, so yes its definately more expensive.

 I got some eggs from a lady who has chickens and about four of her eggs broke as soon as we picked them up. I am sure she's not feeding them greens, we saw them and they were just looking for worms and grass. And I don't think she gave them oyster shell or grits because the eggs broke so easily. She sells her eggs all the time. I want to have healthy eggs that are good and strong and anything I can do to achieve it I will. I try to feed them greens, either cabbage, lettuce, kale, squash or weeds and clover at least twice a day. Its not alot because there only 6 weeks old but they love it and I know that they're growing and will produce the best eggs possible.

Cinnamonhuskies:

Scratch grains for chickens are only $6.25....they have 8.5 % protein instead of 16% layer mash....still wondering if it's a viable alternative if I supplement the protein with fresh milk?? My bulk layer is $21 for 100 lbs.) 

As long as you have milk, it's a good source of protein for them and they love it. When we had a milk cow I fed it to them every evening. I used to feed quite a bit less laying mash when we had milk on hand and they seemed to lay just as well. 

Here's the chicken scratch mix from Nichols Garden seeds-(front, right)-and the rest are wild bird seed

This idea is new to me.  I just recently aquired 5 chickens and am still  learning.  We keep them in an enclosed yard (4ft x 12 ft) because of the dogs.  We are currently feeding them pellets and using grit. The egg shells are very thin.   Would appreciate more tips if you have any.

 If the shells are really thin, it means they need calcium. You can get oyster shell at the feed store and/or feed them fresh greens and milk or milk products. They'll eat grass if you mow it and throw it in to them, but make sure it hasn't been treated for weeds or bugs. Feed them table scraps, too. You shouldn't have to feed much commercial feed at all if you just have 5 chickens. 

There are only a few things they won't eat, like raw potatoes and beet roots.  

 Pat,  Thanks so much for the information.  Will follow your suggestions. 

I've gotten somewhat attached to these 5 ladies and it's kinda hard for me to eat something I've "shaken hands" with, so the eggs are all I'm keeping them for.  So it's pretty important to me that the eggs are good.