Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: jobson336 on October 30, 2011, 16:34

Title: layers pellets or mash?
Post by: jobson336 on October 30, 2011, 16:34

hi,

my chooks seem to be feeding up for Christmas at the moment and appear to be eating more than normal, is this because of winter coming? Or are they just being greedy? Ive always fed them pellets but am considering changing to mash which ive not used before.

Ive heard they have to work a bit harder to eat it so im guessing they wont eat as much! Or is that wishful thinking?  :wacko:

(i have around 60-70 chickens)

any advice welcome.

Title: Re: layers pellets or mash?
Post by: joyfull on October 30, 2011, 16:36

they also waste a lot of mash, in my opinion pellets are better.

Title: Re: layers pellets or mash?
Post by: Sassy on October 30, 2011, 17:24

Agree with Joyfull re mash. Possibly eating more if they have been moulting and are replacing their feathers. They may eat more if it has been cold where you are; it is the food that helps keeps them warm! :)

Title: Re: layers pellets or mash?
Post by: jobson336 on October 30, 2011, 18:02

its always cold  (and wet!) up here, thanks for advice, i will stick with the pellets. There also appears to be a lot of rats around so im going to get the feeders off the ground as i think im paying to feed them as well!! And they dont leave me any eggs!
 8)

Title: Re: layers pellets or mash?
Post by: Sassy on October 31, 2011, 08:17

The rats at this time of the year will definitely be adding to your feed bill and that may be your answer. Do move the feed into a rat proof container at night. :)

Title: Re: layers pellets or mash?
Post by: falcieri on October 31, 2011, 09:48

I give mine mash. It goes in the hoppers which I use now all the time and I found that they would wolf down the pellets in no time whereas they spend more time picking through the mash.

Title: Re: layers pellets or mash?
Post by: Helenaj on October 31, 2011, 10:04

I tried mine with mash - yes, they loved it but would only pick out the tastier morsels, leaving lots of waste. I found pellets better value all round.