Mash

[Rick589]

Good Morning. Does anyone feed their chickens mash consistently? I’ve taken to mixing the dust left over as the chickens feed on their pellets with water to made a stiff mash and they seem to enjoy it guite a bit. Just wondering if feeding them this way regularly is something others are doing, or if there are any pros or cons others have noted by doing so.

 

[Noraaaaa]

I feed my show chickens (silkies and bantam wyandottes) mash 1-2 a month. I put vitamins in it so they can be good quality. I think it helps them be healthier (I've not done that so I'm not sure and they like it so they get it). I don't think feeding it 1-2 a week would be bad because it is just water and feed. I only feed it to my non-show birds when they are not eating or need extra vitamins. I haven't noted any cons.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Mash is an excellent way to make sure that they are eating everything, ensuring that they are hydrated, helps the food go down easier and makes the feed more palatable. I feed mash daily to all of my livestock including my horses. The only downside is that if you make too much then leave it out for hours in the winter it can freeze and in the summer it can spoil. I make sure to only make enough so they consume everything in their bowl or bucket right away. Usually within 10-20 minutes everyone has licked or picked their mash clean.

 

[aart]

Mine clean up the 'mash' off the bottom of the feeder when the crumbles are gone. I purposely leave it for them to clean up, no need to wet it, and they always do.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Does anyone feed their chickens mash consistently?

My current flock gets (wet) mash literally every day as their main feed source. My weather is such that I put out enough to last for 24 hours. Been doing this for several years and had no health issues or concerns caused by it. Starting doing so after 2 years straight of feeding fermented feed only.. which long term and with meticulous record keeping, any alleged benefits were not true in my experience.

The only issues or cons that I've ever had were with crested or bearded birds (like Easter Eggers or Silkies/Polish) getting their feathers wet or crusted and being groomed out by other flock members (or just staying nasty) none of which are in my current flock.

When feeding dry feed regularly.. feeding wet mash can be a nice form of enrichment and a snack that doesn't reduce nutrition.

 

[Rick589]

Appreciate the replies, very helpful. I’ve made the mash just to help reduce waste and to give them a bit of a treat. But given the replies I think I’ll start giving it on a more regular basis, after all they sure seem to enjoy it. On another note, just returned home this evening, checked on the hens and was surprised by our FIRST EGG.

 

[Sally PB]

I give my chickens mash as a way to use up the bits in the bottom of the bowl. I can dress it up with something added (seeds, grubs, kitchen scraps) to make it a bit different on occasion.

 

[orelsi]

Almost daily during the warm months of the year.