Is this really mash?

[GottaHatchAPlan]

So mum brought home a new bag of chicken feed claiming to be 'mash', but it kinda looks more like scratch to me.

Here is the online brochure for this 'course mash': http://www.jenco.com.au/assets/downloads/16-Coarse-Layer-Mash.pdf
Is this actually mash, or is it chicken scratch? How often should I be using this as feed?

 

[sylviethecochin]

That looks one heck of a lot like scratch to me. Mash is processed so the chooks can't be picky eaters. It's "pre-pellet."

That is not processed.

Still, nutrient quality looks decent. (as in, it's not 16% fat, like the last one of these things I saw) I'd feed it until you can get back to the store.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mash is a ground up feed that looks like dust. That is a whole grain product. Definitely not a mash no matter what they are calling it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I disagree with the others. Mash can refer to a ground down feed OR a whole grain feed. A popular one in the US (for comparison) is Scratch & Peck https://www.scratchandpeck.com/ From the description this is a layer feed. The difference is that scratch wouldn't have the added vitamins, it would just be whole grains without addition.

 

[GottaHatchAPlan]

I disagree with the others. Mash can refer to a ground down feed OR a whole grain feed. A popular one in the US (for comparison) is Scratch & Peck https://www.scratchandpeck.com/ From the description this is a layer feed. The difference is that scratch wouldn't have the added vitamins, it would just be whole grains without addition.

I see. Thanks for the clarification! How often a week should I be feeding this to the hens? Is this good for every day along with pellets, or should I have a limit?

 

[GottaHatchAPlan]

That looks one heck of a lot like scratch to me. Mash is processed so the chooks can't be picky eaters. It's "pre-pellet."

That is not processed.

Still, nutrient quality looks decent. (as in, it's not 16% fat, like the last one of these things I saw) I'd feed it until you can get back to the store.

Thanks!

 

[lazy gardener]

Looks like bird seed to me. A lot of milo in it. IMO, milo is a substandard feed additive.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I see. Thanks for the clarification! How often a week should I be feeding this to the hens? Is this good for every day along with pellets, or should I have a limit?

I feed fermented mash each morning but also have layer pellets available during the day - my hens like the mash better but pellets are convenient to leave in a feeder. My chickens eat about 50/50 of each. I don't feed mash dry as chickens will pick through it for their favorite bits and waste the rest, especially the added vitamins.

 

[GottaHatchAPlan]

I feed fermented mash each morning but also have layer pellets available during the day - my hens like the mash better but pellets are convenient to leave in a feeder. My chickens eat about 50/50 of each. I don't feed mash dry as chickens will pick through it for their favorite bits and waste the rest, especially the added vitamins.

Thanks for the advice!