Feed Wastage

[mustangsaguaro]

My birds eat a layer pellet. They seem to eat the pellet fine, but usually there is leftover (not crumble from the pellet, but fine dust). My chickens don't seem to want to eat the fine leftovers from the pellets. To me that's a lot of wastage and money I am throwing away since I feed organic pellets which cost a fair amount. How can I prevent this wastage? My birds right now free range. So, am wondering if after they've gone thru and eaten all the pellets and all that is left is the fine stuff if I shouldn't feed them anymore pellets until the fines are eaten? What do you guys think? Do others have chickens that have feed wastage too.

Thanks
Kim

 

[arlee453]

mix up the dusty stuff with warm water to the consistency of a crumble and feed as a mash. They'll go for it usually like candy!

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

Mine has the dust in there but I usually take it and mix it in there next treat. No waste

 

[SunsetChickens]

Quote:
That's brilliant!

 

[patandchickens]

or mix with the milk the kids let sit out all afternoon, or potato boiling water, or whatever else you might have handy, the chickens like it all

Pat

 

[TechEdFireman]

When I was younger, we would only feed the chickens layer mash and on some occasions we would wet down the layer and the chickens would go crazy for it.

 

[Nichole77]

or put in in yogurt for them.

 

[Kaneke]

Quote:
you beat me to it, I was going to say that too

or -- if you feed worms, "bread" them with the dust ...