Pellets vs Crumbles?

[Freebie]

mmmm...I think I am going to try pellets. Sounds like alot less waste. I have a hanging feeder and they still get tons on the floor.

 

[NoseyChickens]

I just switched to pellets yesterday. I can already tell the difference with less spilling and wasted on the ground. It seemed to me that there was so much powder with the crumble and it just went to waste. My girls are eating the pellets just fine. I'm really happy with it so far.

 

[fargosmom]

I went through this debate myself a few weeks ago, and decided to try pellets after a few months of feeding crumbles. So far the girls are not eating them much at all, and I'm a little concerned. I know they'll eat when they're hungry, but how many days can the feeder go completely untouched? I can't see how they're still on their feet frankly - I give them a small pan of greens and stuff in the morning but it's surely not enough to keep 4 hens going. I know they understand the concept since a few days ago the feeder was emptied, but since then they've gone 2-3 days without much more than a nibble. Is there anything I can do to encourage them to eat again? I've started throwing some pellets in with their greens but if there are any other suggestions I'm all ears . . .

 

[Germaine_11.20]

The chickens will eat when they get hungry. I have never heard of a chicken who was not sick starving themselves.

You could alway mix some in a bowl with some yogurt and then cut back on the yogurt until it is just pellets.

 

[Joyryder]

My vote is for pellets because there is a lot less waste, and if its food they will eat it.

 

[MonkeyZero]

Thank heavens my silkies dont spill their food!
I love pellets. There is really no mess, and its GREAT for hand feeding/ training your chickens!

 

[Mattemma]

I just switched to a bag of pellets for my 3 girls this week.The crumbles were all over the floor.

I found the feeder buried under pine shavings yesterday,and it was still pretty much full. I threw some outside for them,but they did not eat them. I gave in and added some warm water to the pellets in a bowl,and once a warm mush they ate it up.

I am still going to give the pellets,but will move the feeder to higher ground on a cement block so they don't bury it.

Like others said hopefully they will eat the pellets when hungry.The grasshoppers they eat are way bigger even when the 3 tear them to pieces trying to get a chunk.

I also bought some bags of whole oats,flax seed,and cracked corn to give once in a while. I figure I can throw some oats and flax seed to grow in the yard next spring too!

 

[fargosmom]

Well we're on day four of no one touching the pellets in the feeder, so I've switched to a different bag/different brand . . . maybe there was something wrong with the other stuff. But I still don't get how these girls are getting along on their daily salad ration - it's not that big. If the new formula doesn't get their attention I'll try mixing with yogurt . . .

 

[Bedste]

Mine push the pellets out of the feeder to get to the crumbles...... so I am sticking with crumbles..

 

[Bedste]

after reading all of these posts..... AFTER they have used all the crumbles that are already purchased... I am switching to pellets. YOU ALL HAVE CONVINCED ME. They are waisting so much and make such a mess. I thought that was just standard chicken behavior. Glad to know that it is unnecessary..... Pellets it is