Looking for 100% pellet (no crumble) for grower/layer chickens

[Queen Chicken]

My daughter has 3 backyard chickens and I need advice on the type of pellet food to feed them. One is about a year old and laying, the other 2 are about 6 months old - however, one has not layed yet and the other has. We tried a mix of grower/layer with free feed of calcium. Our latest problem is that the crumble included in the grower/layer is very messy when the girls eat . . . and that attracts rats. She has been doing her best to minimize any overflow of food or anything that would attract rats.

Does anyone have a recommendation on a food for grower/layers that is all pellet (not much mess). Non-GMO and non-medicated.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're really happy that you've joined us

It will help with the mess if you elevate the feeders to about chest high as well.

Where abouts in the world are you? When you have a sec, stop by new member introductions and tell the group a little about you.

 

[Sara Ranch]

I live in the country and there are all kinds of varmints out here.

I give my animals (except for the doggies) fermented feed. I bring in the dishes and wash them each night. I bring in the watering stations and wash them each night.

And there is no food allowed in the coops/animal housing. Period.

My baby chickens (all way younger than your daughters chickens) are in a special room. But they don't get food at night time, just fermented feed during the day. It works.

I also try to clean every animal space daily. I use the sand method so clean up is super easy peasy. The poopies go into a closed compost bin OR far, far, far away from the house and the animals.

These are the things I do to keep the varmints away - or not attract them, depending on how you look at it. Even the dog poop is picked up and disposed of.

 

[lazy gardener]

Sara beat me to it. Fermenting will eliminate the waste while providing superb nutrition.

One thing I caution you, as well as other folks with small flocks: your bird feed has a limited shelf life, in spite of the ancient bags of feed you see at some feed stores, and in spite of the self serving statements made by feed store employees that state it's good for 6 months or better. A published poultry nutritionist states that feed is loosing nutrient value within 6 weeks of mill date. You can find the mill date on the bottom tape of every bag of feed. So, for the small flock owners: best to buy small, freeze the excess, or split a bag with a friend.

 

[Queen Chicken]

Sara beat me to it. Fermenting will eliminate the waste while providing superb nutrition.

One thing I caution you, as well as other folks with small flocks: your bird feed has a limited shelf life, in spite of the ancient bags of feed you see at some feed stores, and in spite of the self serving statements made by feed store employees that state it's good for 6 months or better. A published poultry nutritionist states that feed is loosing nutrient value within 6 weeks of mill date. You can find the mill date on the bottom tape of every bag of feed. So, for the small flock owners: best to buy small, freeze the excess, or split a bag with a friend.

That's great advice - thanks!