Pellets vs crumbles? And other food questions.

[rubyrogue]

Went to the feed store today since i should be getting my hens tomorrow. They had layer pellets and layer crumbles. I got the crumbles as I wasnt sure how well the pellets would digest? I dunno it was my reasoning that the crumbles were easier to eat? Opinions? Also should I get scratch grains? I got a flock block cause it was on sale. Is that good? What else can i add to their diet. they will be confined to a run as i dont feel comfortable letting them free range.

 

[easttxchick]

OK, first question would be are your hens laying? If yes, either pellets or crumbles are fine. Mine HATE the pellets, but scatter the crumbles, so it's personal choice.
Scratch grains should only be given as a treat-not a primary food.
I've never heard of a flock block, but it sounds fine.
I mainly give fruit and vegetables(sometimes spaghetti or yogurt) as treats. There is a sticky at the top of this section of the forum that has a list of good treats for them.
Good luck with your new birds!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I agree with easttxchick. I use pellets because my birds waste too much with the crumbles. I'm sure mine would love crumbles, but they can't drive to the feed store, so.....
Flock blocks are fine. I make a homemade one as a treat for my flock now and then.
Enjoy your birds!

 

[seminolewind]

I have always fed crumbles, my chickens didn't like pellets. However, I got a bag home a few weeks ago and they accidentally gave me pellets. So I fed them, but their stools had pellets in them like they hadn't been digested. So I got some more crumbles, and mix it for the time being.

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
Wow! After sitting in the crop, going through the gizzard, and finally through the intestines...they were still distiguishable as pellets??! What kind of binder are they using to form the pellets? What brand were these pellets? That makes me wonder if pellets are as efficient nourishment-wise as crumbles are....

Ed

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Crumbles, pellets, or mash can all work, or not, depending on what you are comfortable with. I've used them all and have come to prefer crumbles once the feeders are properly adjusted. But could easily go back to pellets if I had to. The birds take a while to get used to a change in type so at first they may be reluctant to eat the new stuff. They'll eventually accustom themselves to it. It's best though not to change it on them too often though.

I personally think judicious use of scratch feed is a good thing. It keeps the birds active and if they are free ranging it gathers them all together in one place at one time so that I can see if there are any problems developing. How much you should use in a given day depends on the protein content of the feed you are using. For the typical 15-16% layer rations then you'd only want to feed about a half a handful per bird per day otherwise you lower their protein intake too much. If the birds are free ranging then you can just about feed it free choice if they're finding plenty of bugs and stuff. The higher the protein of the complete ration the more grains you can feed. I use a 20% ration and feed whole corn/wheat/alfalfa pellets free choice. At that protein level they can eat all the corn they want and still get enough of what they need.

Flock Blocks are mostly useful for giving your birds something to do. If they're free range it's unecessary. If they're confined and they don't have anything to scratch in then it keeps them busy and out of mischief.

.....Alan.

 

[pringle]

What I do with my crumbles is I mix them up with water and they double size over night,its also easier for the chickens to eat and especially the ducks.

 

[CityChicker]

Quote:
Wow! After sitting in the crop, going through the gizzard, and finally through the intestines...they were still distiguishable as pellets??! What kind of binder are they using to form the pellets? What brand were these pellets? That makes me wonder if pellets are as efficient nourishment-wise as crumbles are....

Ed

Wow is right! What kind of pellets were they? Mine eat pellets all the time, even the tiniest bantams and I have *never* seen that. I wonder if they did use some unusual binder or something or if there was something wrong with the pellets like they were too dry or something? I don't know, but I have never had that happen. Mine digest them completely.

 

[pardenx3]

We feed crumbles, but from what I hear pellets are less waste. Ours just won't eat them. They always seem to get all of the spilled up off the ground anyway.

 

[underground chickenman]

My hens eat crumbles and pellets with equal gusto, but I give them crumbles because I feed them a starter ration for higher protein and supplement with free choice oyster shell since the starter lacks enough calcium for layers. I have found that this works best for my girls. Additionally, it takes them longer to fill up on crumbles, so it provides just that much more to do to occupy their time so they don't pick at each other.

UGCM