pellets vs. mash

[Michigan Chickman]

I'm sorry if I added to your confusion. I have 34 birds and even though they have mash available 24/7 they all seem to decide to eat at the same time! In my case the feeded I use, a 30lb galvanized hanging gravity feeder, was too low and they would push more out on the ground then they would eat. I read on another BYC thread that raising the feeder up to shoulder heigth could reduce waste and in my case it did.

I switched to layer mash at about 18 weks when I got my first little egg. Prior to that I was feeding a starter/grower feed which was in crumble form. They didn't seem to have a texture preference and made the switch very easily.

I also have oyster shell available in a small seperate feeder, which I believe they call "free choice".

My girls get fresh fruit and veggies everyday as well. I'm new to this too, but I think as long as your birds are not relyingon the treats for their nutrition and passing up the enriched feed, you should be fine.

Am I on the right track with my thinking BYC veterens?

 

[Kathy1]

Question, are crumbles just pellets that are broken up?

I bought a 25 lbs bag of pellets, I was looking for less mess less waste but they do not like the pellets. I dont know if they are too big or too hard to chew that makes them not like them. But they too knock everything out of the feeder to find smaller pieces. So needless to say they make a big mess with it, and I do have the feeder raised

 

[bigzio]

Layer should be fed around the onset of lay, that's usually around 20 weeks give or take a few weeks. The added calcium in the layer feed is needed once they begin to lay, however it isn't need for young pullets that aren't laying.

I prefer layer mash, however it's up to everyone to make their own decision on that one.

I wouldn't freak out, just continue with the starter feed if you still have some left, or keep up the layer feed making this a learn situation for next time around.

bigzio

 

[willheveland]

I've used crumbles,pellets and mash.I know there is less waste with pellets.But for me it is not that much(I hang my feeders high) and a 50 lbs bag of pellets or crumbles costs me like $14.85,where a bag of mash costs $17.10 for 100 lbs. So it's a easy decision for me. Will

 

[Beekissed]

I use mash and crimped oats for all my chickens, from chicks on up. The pellets seem to dissolve into a dust that the birds won't clean up, so lots of waste there. I don't know about the calcium thing for the chicks, unless I will see it down the road sometime. For now, they are enormous and healthy for their age. I'll let you know if there are longterm ramifications to feeding them laying mash so early!

 

[hlyndes]

I know what layer crumbles are and I know what layer pellets are, but I am not familiar with layer mash. Can someone please explain?

I am thinking of trying to swith them off of crumbles again because I am having a lot of wasted food.

 

[bigzio]

Yep, layer mash is purchased from the real feed mills where the farmers take their loads of corn, wheat oats etc...

The mills have a specific receipe for all the ingredients needed to formulate the layer ration feed.

It is a ground feed, that is really fresh, because it has just been ground and mixed.

My feed mill's protein content is 18% which is usually 2% higher than commercial products. ( did I mention that it's fresher? )

It can be fed wet or dry...one can add enough warm water to create a mash that chickens love....however, you should only mix enough with water or broth that the flock will clean up in a short period of time.

I usually fill the hanging feeder and feed it dry, however during cold WI weather, a nice large pan of warm layer mash does wonders for the flock.

Check with your local feed mills that grind fresh feeds, and you will be suprised at the savings, as well as how happy your flock is with truly fresh feed!

bigzio

 

[chixbvs]

I just went to TS to get another bag of chicken food, a was presented with a choice - mash, crumble or pellet. Since I only have 9 hens, a fifty pound bag lasts me a while, so of course I couldn't remember if it was crumble or pellet I had bought last time. I knew I didn't want mash (last time there were only two choices, mash or the other); I decided to just pick up the bag that was in the same location in the poultry section as the last time. Turns out I wanted pellets; bought crumble. The gang loves the crumble, but they do seem to drop more on the floor and seem to be less likely to scratch around and find it (too small). It will be interesting to see how long this bag lasts me.

So, with my limited experience, I would recommend the pelleted feed. I also have both the feeder and waterer hanging in the coop about back level to the smallest breed. Keeps the waterer cleaner than when it was on the floor.

Good luck !

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Count me as another one in the group favoring pellets. I started with mash but moved to pellets after the mess the girls made with the mash. They loved sifting around in there to pick out the little bits and pieces they preferred. With the pellets, they get all the nutrients they need and they clean up after themselves.

 

[riderbecky]

I prefer the mash. I bought my first bag from the feed store a couple of weeks ago. Well, when I opened the bag and stuck my nose in there to get a good whiff, I almost swooned. It was so fresh and smelled so good, I had a strong impulse to boil some up for my own breakfast with a little bit of real maple syrup.
I feed from a DIY PVC feeder that I got the design for from this site. It works great and holds enough food for about a week, and thats with a family of chipmunks helping themselves.

Bigzio, I'll keep the hot mash in mind this winter for when my girls seem down. 6mths of snow can be mighty depressing sometimes.

Interesting to read what people prefer and why.