Mash, Crumbles, or Pellets

[AinaWGSD]

I think what we've established (and the conclusion you've already come to) is that you're just going to have to try it and see what works best for you and your birds. Personally, I am not comfortable with just dumping pellets in and not giving in until they eat them because I have seen birds literally starve to death with a bowl full of food in front of them because it was not the food they were used to eating. Granted, these were psittacine birds (cockatiels, budgies, macaws, and cockatoos) and not chickens, but I think most people would agree that chickens are certainly not any smarter than parrots. I am currently switching over to pellets, because doing the math on what's available to me locally I have found an 18% all flock pellet that is only 0.01/lb more than the crumbles I have been feeding (they have always had grit and oyster shell available free choice even on the 16% layer crumbles). I am hoping that there will be less waste with the pellets as they scattered crumbles all over the ground. I don't know that they waste a huge amount, but it is enough that I am concerned about it attracting rodents even though I pull the feeders in each night. So far, I have noticed less food on the ground under the feeders as I've been adding the pellets to what's left of the last bag of crumbles. If there is less waste, then it will work out to be cheaper for me to feed the pellets. I may also experiment with different kinds of feeders to see if there is one that works better. Right now I have gallon milk jugs with holes cut in them hanging on the run. Until recently I needed something that was deep because I had a cross beaked chicken, but now that I don't have any "special needs" chickens I do not have the same kinds of restraints on feeders that I had before. I can't comment on mash because it is not readily available in my area (I'm sure it is available, I just haven't seen it at any of the feed/farm stores I've been to). But if you don't feed every day I would be nervous about wetting mash as it could mold if left sitting out too long.

 

[cmom]

I use pellets. Originally I used crumbles but also found too much wasted. I also found that the birds prefer certain brands of feed. I have tried almost every brand on the market and some they eat better than others.

 

[teamsunbelt]

I currently have a few different aged birds on all different types food.

My favorite feeders are 5 gallon buckets with large rubber dishes screwed to the bottom. There are quite a few on here as an example. Search for home made feeders. The sides are deep enough that they do not pick a bunch out. The pellets work well, as long as the holes are big enough. Little to no waste with pellets. I have also used the same set up with crumbles and the all flock, which in my area is a smaller pellet.

For those that say that their chickens will not eat this or eat that, you must have some really snobby chickens. There are a few different coops between mine and my parents. When they are all out free ranging, they will visit every coop to sample the feed. Medicated crumbles from the young chicks, all flock, layer pellets just like they have in their feeders and they clean up the rabbit pellets dropped from the hutches.

But it out, and they will eat it! They do not have the mental ability to starve them selves in protest. Feed what works best for you.

 

[SmokinChick]

Quote:
That's what I thought but they just wont eat them. When I mix things in they eat around the pellets.

Don't mix things in with the pellets!

 

[stormylady]

Mine love the crumbles but they waste way to much, so they get the pellets and it goes much farther. Plus it is much easier for them to pick the pellets out of the bedding that is down then the crumbles.

 

[jmtcmkb]

Mine are 12 weeks today and today is probably the first day thier feeder is full of only pellets. My guy at the feed store told me to mix crmbles and pellets near the end of my crumble bag, I did that for about 1-2 weeks and they seem to be fine right now. I also have the feeder in the coop, treats and water are in the run, for me it's a matter of being able to access without escapees

Seriously, my coop door exposes the entire coop, so I have to open the door to the run every morn, they run down for treats and I quickly take out the feeder and refill while they are busy eating greens

then I give the shavings a quick stir. Water is in run so I can keep the shavings dry in coop.