Too Many Treats!

[EggSighted4Life]

I like pellets because they stay fresh longer and I ferment with the same end result whether pellets or crumble.

Interesting... I ferment as well. Use Purina flock raiser and have only gotten mold in the pellets but never the crumbles.

 

[barred2rock]

Interesting... I ferment as well. Use Purina flock raiser and have only gotten mold in the pellets but never the crumbles.

I mean they stay fresher in dry form, pellets have less surface area.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I mean they stay fresher in dry form, pellets have less surface area.

I figured it was the less surface area that you were getting at.

Yes I also mean I have gotten moldy DRY pellets but not crumbles.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Yes I agree that may be too much...

My girls absolutely did NOT like pellets, so I buy them crumbles. Some may be the exact opposite. Is it also a new feed or just a new size? Maybe treat related as well as something different when chickens are creatures of habit. I think you are the right track now though with your current understanding and line of thinking.

I like the high protein snacks like meal worms but ya gotta be careful about fat content. Live ones are a fun treat.

I absolutely love sprouting and/or growing fodder. Especially for girls who can't free range. What's important is that you don't diminish their protein level below 16%. That is the minimum needed. So you are better off sprouting like barley instead of say corn. Peas are very high in protein.

I love the suggestion of tossing a handful of regular feed!!!
I do that as well, in addition to fermenting the regular feed. Check out the link in my signature line for some quick info.

Things like blueberries that they get from the garden, I just consider to be part of free ranging. So I don't count that stuff against my (10%) treats. I don't know what they get... If mine were confined I also might not count the fodder if it was good quality. I don't see quite how it's different than browsing the grass. But balance is definitely key and too many low protein or high fat snack can throw it out of whack which could cause health or behavioral issues. Mostly keep it simple.

I think @EggSighted4Life hit all the key point and nailed it. Key take-away max "treats" 10% and things they would get free range are just good food. I didn't have a choice and had to switch my girls from cracked grain to pellet and they responded by shutting off the egg supply. They eat the pellets fine--but aren't happy with them.