[Meg]

Hya, thanks very much for this forum; I've spent a lot of time reading and learning.

I'd like some advice please on suitable organic/decent feeds for my three ex-bats. They prefer layers' mash to pellets but love their afternoon treats of mixed corn, oats etc. Are there any particular good feeds that you can recommend? I don't mind buying off the internet if necessary.

It may be that mash is what they need - but something in me wants them to have something with a bit more bite!

I'm also having a slight problem with one hen with soft eggs - so thanks for all the advice on that from the forums. I'm grinding up oyster shells into a mash mixture which works but will get some limestone flour and crushed oysters AND microwave their egg shells!

Thanks!

Meg

[andreadon]

If you put where you are in the country, there will be someone near you who can recommend a place to buy food.

wrt to soft shells - if it isn't inherited...  it might be worth getting some real soil in there so that she can eat the grit.
And we give them milk and cheese too (although the jury is out on whether that's a good idea) - others on here swear by soya milk.

well done on reading the forums - everything I know is from in here!
 

[Meg]

Thanks - they are completely free-range during the day so have access (snow permitting) to 1/4 acre of grass, plants and soil. And it's just the one hen who's the culprit (have just read the thread on how to break a chicken's neck so I can threaten her into eating her grit!  ).
I'll try some milk or cheese... thanks!
I'm in Birmingham - there is a place relatively near called 'The Hungry Horse.' Went there once but they had no organic stocks in. Happy to go again if readers recommend.

[Foxy]

A good proprietry layers pellets will be fine. Small Holders Range is a good one, another is Marriages. The Small Holder range also has specially prepared layers pellets for ex-bats -have a look at Roughlee handled's recent thread.
Try and keep treats to a minimum though, particulary if you have just recently taken them in, layers pellets contains all the essential minerals required for healthy laying.
A good tonic is Apple Cider Vinegar added to their drinking water. This is available from most good feed stores.