Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Topscaff on October 05, 2013, 18:41
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Hi all I use layers pellets because in my eyes its easier, what do you use and why, thanks Mike
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I think most people use layers pellets as it is less messy than the mash. Having said that people with ex batts sometimes use mash as that is what they are used to. ;)
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pellets.
Used mash once and it blew away ??? Its good in the winter though for making them a warm porridge. You can still make it with pellets but they take a while to mash down.
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I use pellets as well and I make porridge with it for very cold days and for off-colour chucks.
Mine don't go through enough to make it worth keeping both, so I pour boiling water on pellets and by the time its cool enough for them to eat, the pellets have soaked down. Then is usually gets some Poultry Spice and a few garlic granules added. They love it :)
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I use growers pellets - why I hear you ask ?
because my flock are all bantams including tiny Dutch and sea bright breeds - growers pellets are same ingredients as layers pellets but a smaller pellet
I had terrible trouble getting them to eat layers pellets - you wouldn't believe the size mattered but it clearly did :blink:
as above pellets can be mixed to a mash in cold weather with a little warm water cider vinegar or a little fat which helps keep the birds in tip top condition through the winter
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I use growers pellets - why I hear you ask ?
because my flock are all bantams including tiny Dutch and sea bright breeds - growers pellets are same ingredients as layers pellets but a smaller pellet
I had terrible trouble getting them to eat layers pellets - you wouldn't believe the size mattered but it clearly did :blink:
as above pellets can be mixed to a mash in cold weather with a little warm water cider vinegar or a little fat which helps keep the birds in tip top condition through the winter
Growers pellets may have the same ingredients but they will be in different percentages for the growing stage. As for them being smaller, I think that depends on the manufacturer. The ones I get from Farmway the layers pellets are smaller than the growers, so much so that I had to take the last lot of growers back as my bantam pullets could not eat them. ::)
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I also add some fruit to the porridge, a banana or some plums etc that are going soft (ones that have been nowhere near my kitchen I hasten to add).
If i know its going to be a particularly cold night, i give it to them about 3.30-4pm otherwise they have it for breakfast.
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Thanks for all your replies, I will try the porridge this year I will mix the pellets with hot water and rolled barley and see how they get on, once again thanks Mike
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Thanks for all your replies, I will try the porridge this year I will mix the pellets with hot water and rolled barley and see how they get on, once again thanks Mike
It should not be necessary to do this with healthy hens. It is best to give them a little mixed corn in the evening as this will keep them warm, it is also easier and they are guaranteed to eat the corn. :)
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Thanks for all your replies, I will try the porridge this year I will mix the pellets with hot water and rolled barley and see how they get on, once again thanks Mike
It should not be necessary to do this with healthy hens. It is best to give them a little mixed corn in the evening as this will keep them warm, it is also easier and they are guaranteed to eat the corn. :)
Thanks Sassy I give some mixed poultry most nights before dark but I did not know it helped to keep them warm, you learn something new every day, thanks Mike