Wet Crumble feed?

[Jeepershomestead]

I have googled and searched the thread here but can’t quiet find an answer to my question: can I wet crumble feed to prevent choking/coughing?. I feed nutrena crumble to my layers, which mostly free range and my two boys constantly hunt bugs for them. I did pellets one time but they do not care for pellets, so much that they stopped laying. Gave them crumble again and they started laying just fine. I have a first time laying hen that likes to eat fast and ends up coughing. I was wondering if I can wet their feed to prevent her from coughing/choking. The only time she coughs is while she eats her breakfast and there is no other sign of respiratory issues.

 

[NatJ]

Yes, wetting some feed is fine.

The only time she coughs is while she eats her breakfast and there is no other sign of respiratory issues.

I would suggest serving wet feed for their breakfast, and continue leaving the dry feed available at all times.

You don't want wet feed to sit around too long--it might spoil or grow mold, or freeze in the winter time. So maybe try to serve an amount of wet food they will eat up within an hour or so, and then they'll eat the dry feed the rest of the day.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I wet crumbles as a treat during hot weather to keep hens laying.
A half cup dry for 4 hens, middle of the morning.

Agree with NatJ, Toss out any remaining at end of day. GC
ETA; they have dry feed available all day.

 

[RumneyRoost]

Yup it's fine! The crumb that comes from our local mill breaks up fairly quickly so every few days I scoop the powder into a container, add some water, and voila! They think it's a treat. I always leave a feeder with the dry crumb out for them as well.

 

[Jeepershomestead]

Thank you all so much! I was a little worried it would be more of a choking hazard but I feel better. I appreciate all of the input

 

[CatsandCrops]

Yup it's fine! The crumb that comes from our local mill breaks up fairly quickly so every few days I scoop the powder into a container, add some water, and voila! They think it's a treat. I always leave a feeder with the dry crumb out for them as well.

I do the same and you would think I've been starving them for days the way they go crazy for it ahah