Crumble vs pellet

[Folly's place]

Locally milled feed will be mash, so it's really fine. Much cheaper to produce, because the mill doesn't need either a pellet maker or a crusher for the pellets.
Mary

 

[paneubert]

Here is the answer on Flock Raiser Pellet versus Crumble, direct from Purina.

"Thank you for your question. We do still manufacture Flock Raiser Pellets. Most stores carry the crumbles since it is an all life phases feed because the crumbles are easier for young birds. I would suggest contacting your local Purina Mills Certified dealer to see if they are able to get the pellets. Please go to www.purinamills.com and then click on where to buy. Put your zip code in and it will give you the name of stores near you. If you have questions, please let me know."

Just as another data point, I know my TSC in Washington state carries/carried both next to each other.

 

[Folly's place]

Their website says that the FR pelleted feed is available, and has a separate list of feed stores by zip code, but the two aren't meshed. I guess each store must be called anyway.
Mary

 

[FlyWheel]

Wet it. Fermenting is even better (nutrition wise) but just wetting it will stretch the feed out further because they will be able to eat all of it as there will be none wasted as dust. Also put your feeder a few inches above the ground and put roof on the feeder so they aren't walking on it and scratching it to all four corners of the earth. Here's the one I built as an example:

Feed bin. Raised to prevent the chickens from spilling their feed, roofed to keep them from walking (and pooping) in it. Roof is hinged to 'dump' any chicken that tries to roost on it.

 

[aart]

Pellets are definitely less waste, but they are much more processed compared to crumble/naturally milled feed. I also noticed that all commercial feeders are intended for pellets, and milled feed (from local farm) gets stuck, so that I have to shake my feeders more often.

Actually, crumbles are crushed pellets....I often find the pellets in the crumble.

Not sure what you mean by "naturally milled feed"?

 

[Vicker]

Mine prefer crumbles but only get it when I have mixed ages together and have to use flock raiser. Through trial and error, I've managed to minimize waste. They go back on pellets as soon as the younger generation can eat layer feed. I start mixing it together to get them used to it, but they mostly pick out the crumbles and leave the pellets. I think it's just easier to eat.

 

[igorsMistress]

I prefer pellets. The small birds can't eat them, less powdery waste without adding water and easy to see what's been spread around by the birds while eating.
If I feel like fermenting it, it's just as easy as crumble. If I need some for chicks, throw some in a blender and give it a whirl.

 

[WallyBirdie]

My younger birds eat crumbles. I tried my older birds with pellets and they refused ro eat them! I tried and tried, but so much of it was wasted. (Oddly, my cat [who buddies up with my chickens] ended up eating a fair amount of it. Strange cat.)
Not sure why my big girls wouldn't eat pellets. Same brand/type as the crumbles, so I figured it would taste the same.

Then again, I just might have picky birds. Goodness knows my goats are finicky. (I had to MOW their pen because they wouldn't eat ANY of the grass or weeds there. I tried moving them to the field- still nothing. They only eat certain feeds/grasses.

 

[Shezadandy]

We do Flock Raiser crumbles for everyone all seasons - seems like there's always a broody with babies, even in the fall and winter. As @FlyWheel mentioned, wetting them eliminates a lot of waste.

I keep a 40lb feeder in the coop - much higher sides than the 30lb. Every day I distribute food out in their run into water heater pans - and if things get a little powdery a quick spray with the hose creates a flash mob - very little waste.

Edited to add: The food in the 40lb feeder does NOT get wetted down, ONLY the feed distributed daily in the run.

I will say there's kind of a critical mass in terms of flock size for wasted feed vs. not much wasted feed. As there are now 100+ in the flock, I think there's enough competition that the high-ranking hens tossing feed to look for the specks of corn doesn't result in waste because there's always an underling grateful for the tossed feed to sneak in behind and grab. My 2 old lady hens that have health issues throw theirs ALL OVER the place, deep bowl, nice wet food- doesn't matter- tons of waste.

 

[RumneyRoost]

I personally like the crumble. I scoop the powder from the bottom of the feeder into a container, add water, and voila! They think it’s a treat.
However, I’ve only got 6 so I don’t mind a bit of waste. One bag lasts just over a month.