Official BYC Poll: Crumbles, Mash, or Pellets?

[Jedstar]

I give mine a free range layer scratch mix an Australian brand called Red Hen made by Lauke Mills. And a medicated chick starter crumble for my baby chicks.

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

Pellets - They seem to waste less.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I prefer to feed pellets to my chickens, as they seem to waste less and my new layers actually prefer it.
I accidentally bought crumbles the last time I was shopping, so they are eating the crumbles right now. But they tell me every day when I fill the feeder that they would prefer pellets, they do like to complain when they don't get what they want. I need to clean out the dried grape vines and give them some more grape leaves to munch on, that is their favorite snack right now.

 

[WVduckchick]

All crumbles... but I only keep bantams now, and mostly tiny ones. They don’t seem to do well even with the mini-pellets, so I stick to crumbles.

 

[Krazikatlady64]

The girls are not layers yet. Almost there. I give crumbles, but they don't like the powder at all! They really like to chop something. I am trying to feed organic,it's a bit expensive. I have looked at KiKi's feed spreadsheet, but I need to study it further. I wonder about buying online feeds; However, with the uncertainty in the world, really want to buy and support the local store . How great to have a local feed mill! I intend to give them layer pellets once they are ready.

 

[speedy2020]

I prefer to feed pellets to my chickens, as they seem to waste less and my new layers actually prefer it.
I accidentally bought crumbles the last time I was shopping, so they are eating the crumbles right now. But they tell me every day when I fill the feeder that they would prefer pellets, they do like to complain when they don't get what they want. I need to clean out the dried grape vines and give them some more grape leaves to munch on, that is their favorite snack right now.

I didn't know chicken like grape vine/leaf. I will trim some off in the future and see if they will eat them.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I have fed my chickens all three. They liked all of them (Of course they did. They like any food), but I usually use pellets. My hens seem to waste less of them, and the pellets are a lot cheaper at my feed store.

 

[BarredRockMotherHen]

Choosing which feed to buy for your birds can be a complex process with many variables, and today we would like to hear your opinion on one of these. Which feed texture/size do you prefer? Vote in the poll above, and reply below if you wish with the reasoning behind your choice.

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(Check out more Official BYC Polls HERE!)

We feed pellets to our adults, but they also have access to an acre and a half to free range though so they don’t eat much of their feed during mid-day. That much more prefer bugs and grass. Happy hens = delicious eggs!

 

[Shezadandy]

Crumbles, always have some chicks running around somewhere (pellets are too big) and I like that it takes longer for them to eat the crumbles. I feed mine in plastic water heater drip pans along with the long metal feeders outside - most stays in the pan - and at the end of the day I wet what's left and they inhale the rest.

 

[Laylashens]

We use mash. The chickens seem to prefer it, as we used to buy crumbles & pellets from Southern States. Now we drive out an hour to a farm that produces high quality feed. They love the taste and it's great for producing lots of eggs!