NY chicken lover!!!!

[Cass]

I imagine many or all of my newbie questions have been beaten to death in previous discussions, but being as I've been reading my fellow New Yorker's advice, I'd like to stick to this crew -- rather than go elsewhere -- and get your advice.

Do you feed your hens pellet or mash form? I've seen pro's & con's for both sides, and where I'm at right now is that I'm leaning towards mash. I realize there may be more waste, but I like that it keeps the birds scratching around in an engaged and natural way.

If you've got a minute, I'd like to hear how you feed and why it works best.

Thanks for furthering my education!

TOB

I feed crumbles. I used to have a lot of waste with them, but I bit the bullet and spent the $4 on a metal pan to put under the feeder. Now they eat just about everything,cuz the pan catches what they are trying to throw around the coop. (Yes, I feed in the coop. Many say you should never ever do that, it attracts rats) IF there is a lot of build up in the pan I pour it into an extra rubber water container I have around and add water. It's a totally new food when served like that, according to the chicken's reaction.

I tried pellets. They wouldn't eat them. AND I had to adjust the feeder to accomodate them....they would not fall through the plastic feeder at all.

If I was starting over I would never buy a metal waterer or a plastic feeder. Metal waterers leak if not level and plastic feeders get poop caught on the section dividers and have to be cleaned out more often.

 

[Henicillin]

Or you can't find your glasses and they are on top of your head

.

I once sat in my car looking around the seats for my cell phone - while talking to my mother on the cell phone. FAIL.

Thanks for the feed lead! I'll go visit Agway tomorrow and give it a whirl.

 

[Adoravachick]

I prefer whole grains. I buy green mountain coarse layer( it is mash like) and add wheat berries, or lentils, or peas or sunflower seeds what ever i can get my hands on and use fertrells poultry balancer. To up the protein, I bring home leftover salmon from the buffet,(at work) or liver from the grocery store, or home grown mealworms. I purchased some pellets as that is what was available and mixed it in with my feed and it is the absolute last thing they eat. I also ferment and sprout for my birds.

My choice is similar. I add mixed grains, sunflower, lentils, dried fruits, nuts, and a tablespoon of vegetable oil to their layer crumble. They go crazy for peanut hearts!

 

[JerseyHen]

I once sat in my car looking around the seats for my cell phone - while talking to my mother on the cell phone. FAIL.

Thanks for the feed lead! I'll go visit Agway tomorrow and give it a whirl.

I laugh only because I have done similar things.

 

[Glasshen]

I feed Purina Flockraiser, or sometimes game bird feed. I get the former at J and J feeds, and have bought the latter at the ag store in Tully, and something similar at Lees Feeds. I have found that having higher protein helps their feathers be healthier, and they pick on each other less when they have 20percent or so protein. I get pellets because huge amounts were wasted. They do fine with pellets, and they can find the pellets in the litter.

By the way, with Reveille out of the area, waiting for whatever, I am getting more eggs. About a week ago I was getting sometimes only two eggs, but now today five, from ten hens! He was a stressor!

 

[Lapeerian]

I feed pellets in a 12 lb metal hanging feeder. Bits of oyster shell get tossed out, but they pick up the feed. Agway brand Hearty Hen, has the added omega-3 and 18% protein. Makes the yolks very orange and rich. And when you make chocolate chip cookies, you can eat more because they are good for you. . It depends on the feeder set up you want, personal preference and chicken's preference. I had the same question just last spring.

 

[Cass]

I once sat in my car looking around the seats for my cell phone - while talking to my mother on the cell phone. FAIL.

Thanks for the feed lead! I'll go visit Agway tomorrow and give it a whirl.

Ahhh...the silly things we do. I recently turned the house upside down to find my car/house key set. I finally gave up, assembled a second set and got in the car to head to work (and then immediately upon completion of working out of town). When I sat down in the car I felt my car keys in my pants pocket where I (then) rememberd putting them so I would not leave the house without them. Aging. It's wonderful. (For comedy writers, not for the rest of us)

 

[2bEggcellent]

Anyone from West Nyack NY area? Private message me I am new to this and getting ready to have chickens this late spring 2013. I would love to meet likeminded people in my area. I could use a few pointers too.
Thanks!

 

[Tough Old Bird]

Or you can't find your glasses and they are on top of your head:/ .

Wow...i have done that. Took me several minutes and much irritation to figure out i was walking around with them perched on my head.

Thx for "feed-feedback"...bad pun, i know!!

Tob

 

[rancher hicks]

Or you can't find your glasses and they are on top of your head

.

Or else hanging off my T shirt.

Have you ever stopped to think and forget to start again?