[andreadon]

We went to our usual farmshop to get the layers mash today.
they've completely sold out.
No bags of pellets either, but they did have some in the scoop box so we've bought a few days' worth to mix in with the small amount of mash we've got left.

They had growers pellets and chick crumb.
And duck food.
Would any of those be suitable as a short term alternative until the layers mash is available?
They said their next delivery will be Thursday, but they weren't given their usual full allocation this week so obviously their supply  chain is struggling too.

Or anything else we can provide?
We did buy them a cabbage, and we've  got some brassica leaves from the allotment

Thanks

[New shoot]

Growers are a better sub than chick crumb.  They do have a bit more protein and a bit less calcium.  Here is an old post from Hillfooter that explains it really well 

https://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=82109.msg918401#msg918401

[grinling]

Are your hens free ranging as they eat less chicken food.

You could also do online and have it delivered.

[andreadon]

Growers are a better sub than chick crumb.  They do have a bit more protein and a bit less calcium. 

That's encouraging. I'd just add extra calcium then?

[andreadon]

Are your hens free ranging as they eat less chicken food.

They free range for a few hours, but we've not got a big garden. So they just get what we can get from the allotment.
Dh gave them half and half today and they'd eaten most of it by the time I let them out at 9!

[New shoot]

Growers are a better sub than chick crumb.  They do have a bit more protein and a bit less calcium. 

That's encouraging. I'd just add extra calcium then?

Yes.  It is not ideal as too much protein isn't the greatest, but the bigger worry is lack of calcium.  I have heard chicken keepers say they switch their girls onto growers over the winter to give them a boost.  While they are egg laying, they do need the calcium though.

[snowdrops]

Is there nowhere else you can get some from? Garden centre, pets at home?

[Wellington]

Everyone is so worried about not being allowed out!  You can most definitely buy online. In a pinch I have given my lot bird food (I buy grit and oyster shell separately, so calcium is not a problem) but I never feed layers pellets, anyway, only mixed corn. I think it possibly works out more expensive, but I buy in very large sacks and still think the eggs are a bargain.

[New shoot]

Pets at Home do a collect in store service or home delivery.  I must admit I did stock pile for the chickens when all this virus stuff started, even though I didn't for us humans 

They have got several bags of layers pellets and a 25kg bag of mixed corn to get through.  It is all in the house as I wasn't risking getting rats in the shed.  I think it is worth putting a decent order in and knowing you have plenty.  We will be allowed out to buy food or have it delivered and most supermarkets sell pet food, so in general animals will be fine.  Getting to somewhere that stocks chicken feed might not be quite so easy depending on how things pan out, so it is worth having a plan B   

[grinling]

If you have eggs, cook the egg shells and crush for calcium