Switching from mash to pellets? advice?

[vjbakke]

We will be switching the girls over from a mash type feed to pellets. Should they take to the new feed ok? They've always been on mash. Should we mix it with the old to get them used to it?

Thanks

 

[Czech's_chicks]

You will get some resistance, but that is normal...but when they get hungry the should eat the pellets. It's less waste, too, but can be a battle! Good luck. I'm doing the same thing, they get pellets tomorrow. I'm tired of the waste and the sparrows!

 

[bairo]

Quote:
As the other responder said....... but I would also with hold the scratch feed for a few days. If you dont, they will half starve themselves waiting on the scratch and not get used to the pellets.

 

[pjknust]

Im switching mine next bag too. I have crumbles all over the ground and Im tired of it. They arent eating that much right now anyway, its way too hot, and they free range all day in the back yard. I bought a small bag of soy free pellet and they wont eat it unless I mix it with liquid. But I figure if it ever cools off and there is nothing to choose from but the pellets, they will eat.

pam in TX

 

[pinkwindsong]

oh you have sparrow eating the feed.. not me .. oh no... I have to have 3 dogs that adore,, drull and scoff down the girls feed unless I cant them in time.. ahhhh

the worst culprit is my 140lb great dane... who has a stomach from Hell... if he eats certain foods he will paint the walls.. not fun..

... I guess his stomach has adapted to the crumbles he's not getting sick anymore thank god....

good luck and have a great day/night now..
'Pink

 

[pinkwindsong]

oh wait!!! I have a question to go along with the OP.. sorry..

I too am getting ready to buy my next bag of feed... heres the thing I have 6 girls ready to lay any day now... and then I have 5 that are 2-4 weeks younger... should I make the switch or can' they stay on the grower till everyone is ready ..or can the younger girls start the layer pellets?

thanks Pink

 

[KDK1]

Quote:
They'll be fine with starter. Just make sure you offer oyster shell.

 

[vjbakke]

Thanks, 4 of mine are ready to start laying any day now as well, and I have 2 girls that won't be for 2 weeks or more. I am switching them all to layer pellets when their bag of grower is all gone. I will add the oyster shell after I see the first egg.

 

[southerndesert]

Sparrows like pellets as well around here, finally had to begin using treadle feeder to get them from eating 1/4 of my feed per month

 

[Jeffross1968]

Tried going to pellets. Won't do that again. My chickens were totally against the idea. At this point, I'm just trying to get rid of them, though they spend their days free ranging and eating out of the younger chickens feeder (grower/finisher). They know they're getting out sooner or later, so I think they quench the overwhelming hunger in the morning, and then wait for me to open the cage