Layer mash...messy?

[kbarrett]

My girls are 18wks already! I am still patiently waiting for eggs....

OK I have been threating them with no eggs = no treats but they know I can't resist giving them goodies. Anyway my question is for those that feed layer mash. I bought a 100lb bag of layer mash from the feed mill which went to the bottom of the feed bin, I then poured my remaining 25lb bag of starter on top of it mixing it pretty well in the middle to give them a gradual feed change. Since they're on this mixture they seem to fly through the feed. I used to fill their hanging feeder every 3rd day, now it's empty the next day. I think a good bit of it is below the feeder in the shavings. Should I have a different feeder for layer mash? Is it normal to have so much wasted? Are they rooting through it to find their chick crumbles? I never get to see them eat from the feeder...when I'm out there they're too busy begging for treats. I went with the mash because I'm always happy with this particular mills' horse feed and compared to paying $15 for the Purina medicated starter, $20 for 100lbs seemed like a good deal! So what's your experience with layer mash please........

Thansk!

 

[MissPrissy]

Layer mash is intended to be fed mixed with warm water as a wet 'mash' of feed. They are probably wasting most of it.

 

[seminolewind]

Can other animals or rodents get to this hanging feeder?
If this was a gradual increase, they may just be eating more and more, esp when they start laying.

 

[chickenbike]

Quote:
I've never hear of that before?? My girls are 12 weeks and eating Pullet Grower Mash. Yes, they do waste some on the ground.

(I figured it was my mistake for not specifying Pullet Grower Pellets.......and just figured that when they're done this bag they will be very close to needing to swith to Layer Feed. At that time I would be sure to get Pellets instead of Mash.)

Should I be adding water to their Pullet Grower Mash until then? Or just accept the spillage as I have been doing?

 

[claud]

I fed pullet grower mash to my birds for a while - I was using organic and it was only available in mash. They waste lots of it. If you have a choice get pellets or at least crumbles. It certainly does seem to last longer because it's not all over the ground or in their bedding and if it does get spread around they can scratch and find it later.
I would never wet mash for my birds - too messy and risky for developing mold.

 

[chickenbike]

I definitely intend to do Layer Pellets. It was my own error when I picked up the Pullet Grower Mash in that I didn't double check the bag.

Of course I got home, opened the bag....and....voila.....Mash! Having opened the bag, I was unable to return it for an exchange. The amount they waste isn't too bad, but not something I'd do again!

 

[kbarrett]

Quote:
Thanks for the info....you would have thought it would be labeled as Add Water.

There's no evidence of rodents in the coop, I hope it stays that way. I was just couldn't believe they would all but triple their food intake in less than a week. I'll have to check with the mill to see if they offer pellets.

Thanks!

 

[cajunlizz]

If they are 18 weeks old , I would put them on regular laying Pellets .....


I put all my laying pellets in Large ceramic feed bowls and whatever is scratched on the ground is eaten by them . NO WASTE , and NO smell .


I make sure they have their laying pellets before giving treats also .

Mornings I fill all containers with the pellets and ALL water containers ... ( 2 - 5 gallon buckets for the water ) .

Late afternoon I give treats and replenish ALL pellets and water .

50 lb. bag of Purina Laying pellets cost me 11.00 and worth it , because NO WASTE

 

[seminolewind]

Is there a difference between layer mash and layer crumbles?

My chickens wouldn't eat the pellets. So I am not using them. I don't get any waste. One feeder is a 5 inch wide bowl standing in a plastic 2.5 inch high, 9 x 12 inch wide pan. The waste stays in the plastic pan, and gets poured back into the feed bowl. The other is a 9 inch wide and 5 inch high bowl that has a slight vase shape to it. It's actually a reproduction commode. No mess with that one either.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I used pellets for 15 years until I got my new pullets in June. The lady I got them from gets a layer mash locally that uses Fertrell products. I got 80lbs. of organic layer mash today for $20.50. The natural layer is $18.50. I have to pay 12.50 for 50 lbs. of Purina Layena pellets & they always smell like beer when I open the bag. Anyway for 12 chickens 100 lbs. of pellets usually lasts a month & the 80lbs. of mash lasted 5 weeks. They are from 16-22 weeks old now, so they may eat more, but the mash smells so fresh & I have not had much waste at all. I use a 30 lb. hanging metal feeder that I bought in 1993 when I started out & hang it as high as their backs. The lip on the feeder is very deep. Only the rooster is taller than the feeder.