Mash vs Pellets

[ourlilfarm2015]

I have always fed the mash/crumble feed but recently noticed that pellets are also an option. Which do you prefer and why? The pellets look like there would potentially be less waste(?)

 

[BantyChooks]

Pellets. I have ducks, so any attempt at feeding mash ends with 1" of wasted food sludge in the waters, and even more ground into the dirt around the feed bowls. Pellets are wasted far less.

 

[Sueby]

I started with crumble but they wasted so much so I switched to pellets.

I added water to the last of the crumble & made a mash that they really enjoyed.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I prefer pellets because there's less waste.

The chickens prefer crumble.

I also feed fermented (to reduce waste to close to 0) whole grain mash.

 

[centrarchid]

I think the biggest difference is the mash is a little easier for the manufacturer to mill so a little cheaper to make and it may also be easier to push around a large building through a system of augers. The pellets are easier to consume without as much waste in the form of fines.

 

[igorsMistress]

I prefer the pellets. Small birds can't eat them, less waste from the chickens and if they kick it out, they can still scrounge for it in the litter in the coop. If I have chicks I just give it a whirl in the blender before feeding dry.
I ferment the feed for two meals per day and leave dry out 24/7

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Mine prefer mash so that’s what I give them. My ducks won’t even go near pellets.

 

[Folly's place]

I'd like pelleted feed, but it doesn't come locally in Flock Raiser, which is crumble. Young birds don't manage pellets well anyway, so crumble is fed here all year.
Mash is the least expensive to manufacture, and used commercially, but at home, it seems to produce the most spilled feed.
Mary

 

[ValerieJ]

Mine prefer mash so that’s what I give them. My ducks won’t even go near pellets.

Same here. My hens want crumbles, so they get crumbles. I used to use pellets, then I rescued a rooster whom I was told would only eat crumbles. Now they are all spoiled. But what can I say. There isn't a critter on this property that isn't spoiled, so why not the chickens? At least they give something back.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

Mine eat both indiscriminately so I feed both. Right now, I’ve got six chicks that were hatched on 23 May, so they’re on chick starter crumbles. I’m starting to introduce the pellets back in by mixing with the crumbles. That said, they love, love, LOVE wet crumbles. Can’t get enough, head down-butt up, noses in the feed pan, LOVE their wet mash! And it’s truly heaven on earth when I mix in some scrambled eggs. They love breakfast so much that they will ignore the open run door!

I prefer the pellets because they’re less messy and less waste, so will eventually get them back on the pellets.

Fyi, the chicks even use the Grandpa’s Feeders now! I didn’t even have to put in the training bolts. They just watched the big birds and figured it out.