non-layer Pellet options

[yakitori]

My broody turns her beak up at mash and crumbles but goes crazy for pellets. I do have layer pellets, but since she’s setting and not laying anymore, im worried the calcium content will hurt her. I want her to eat as much as she is able in order to tackle the remaining two weeks of incubation...

are there any other pellets i can feed her? i see duck pellets... would that be an option?

 

[poultryprofessor]

Depends on what you can find in your area.

All flock pellets do exist. I use Nutrena NatureWise All Flock feed for some of my birds. I like it because the pellets are small enough for my bantams to handle them well.

 

[kerbotx]

A few weeks on layer pellets won't hurt her. Nutrena & Dumor have all flock pellets. Have you offered her chick starter crumble? As it has more protein, most birds usually love it!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

I honestly would try and see if you could just feed mash or crumbles. They take a bit longer to eat which entertains them a bit. There also does seem to be a correlation of feeding pellets and pendulous crop. For this reason I personally avoid the risk, albeit probably small. Many people feed pellets no problem but since learning this I personally avoid them since crumbles and mash are just as if not more readily available. I don't see any studies showing problems with higher calcium in broody hens but again I would avoid the risk if possible especially since she'll be eating starter crumbles anyways once the chicks hatch
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119304547

 

[yakitori]

A few weeks on layer pellets won't hurt her. Nutrena & Dumor have all flock pellets. Have you offered her chick starter crumble? As it has more protein, most birds usually love it!

I’ll look for the flock pellets when I go to tsc on thursday! I have some game bird feed I occasionally mix with the layer feed among other things to make fermented feed. Without water, it’s basically a crumble. I’ve tried all kinds of combinations...She doesn’t like crumbles, dry or wet

There also does seem to be a correlation of feeding pellets and pendulous crop. For this reason I personally avoid the risk, albeit probably small.

Oh, good to know! I usually feed fermented mash, especially when the weather is warmer, as it gets more hydration to the hens. Though sometimes I forget to make my batch of ferment, or am running late for work, when that happens, pellets are nice and convenient.

Normally if my satin were not brooding, I’d leave fermented feed out, and she would work through it slowly through the day. But right now she hardly eats any before wanting to go back to her nest. However, if I give her layer pellets, she inhales them..

I plan to start the chicks on mash and fermented feed as well. Once she’s mobile with her chicks and able to feed throughout the day, I can stop worrying about her getting enough nutrients.

 

[RevlisRemmah]

I’ll look for the flock pellets when I go to tsc on thursday! I have some game bird feed I occasionally mix with the layer feed among other things to make fermented feed. Without water, it’s basically a crumble. I’ve tried all kinds of combinations...She doesn’t like crumbles, dry or wet


Oh, good to know! I usually feed fermented mash, especially when the weather is warmer, as it gets more hydration to the hens. Though sometimes I forget to make my batch of ferment, or am running late for work, when that happens, pellets are nice and convenient.

Normally if my satin were not brooding, I’d leave fermented feed out, and she would work through it slowly through the day. But right now she hardly eats any before wanting to go back to her nest. However, if I give her layer pellets, she inhales them..

I plan to start the chicks on mash and fermented feed as well. Once she’s mobile with her chicks and able to feed throughout the day, I can stop worrying about her getting enough nutrients.

I know I am a little late to the thread but she is stunning!!

 

[yakitori]

I know I am a little late to the thread but she is stunning!!

Thank you!