Scooby Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I've been told that I should get some layers mash in for my ex batt girls to eat when they arrive as they do not know any different. So, as always, wanting to make sure my girls always have exactly what they need and only feeding my other girls on pellets, I went to the omlet shop to order some. Problem - Omlet only sell the pellets. So, rang Omlet to ask for help. The very helpful lady on the phone told me that it's possible to create your own mash by using probiotic yogurt and pellets and mashing together. Was wondering if this sounds ok to any of you out there who may have ex batt girls and who use layers mash as I've seen a picture of the mash on another website and it doesn't look like it was mixed with yogurt! It looked dry and quite gritty to me. Do I order some off this website or make my own?? Help!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Haven't you got anywhere near you that does poultry supplies? Try horse supplies places etc. I'm sure someone in your area will be along shortly to advise but I would agree that Layers Mash does not look like you describe. Mine is a bit like the stuff at the bottom of the weetabix packet mixed with hoover dust and some smashed dried peas! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 Thanks Jo We have an equestrian (sp) shop round the corner but I assumed it was for all things horsey and nothing else? There is a place about 20 miles out from here - I was just being lazy really by trying to get it delivered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Might be worth ringing the horsey place - the one I use has poultry supplies. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I wouldn't advise making your own and especially with yoghurt, the girls won't be used to eating yoghurt. I got my first bag on line but now get it from a feed shop about 10 miles from us, we get it in 20kg sacks which lasts about 2 months or so but don't buy too much in one go as it would go stale before you use it. you can buy it quite easily on line if you don't have anywhere local. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 Thanks Poet I did think that it would be different to what the girls were used to and I didn't want that at all. I will take your advice and order some off the web to begin with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I was surprised the other day to see Layers Mash and Pellets for sale in a Jolleys pet shop. Might be worth ringing around some near to you if you have any, I've had my ex batts for about 8 months now and I still haven't managed to wean them completley onto layers... They still half half and half Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonie Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I need to get some of that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I need to get some of that too If you mean mash, Moonie, then get yourself to Thornes (opposite Fairfield Park, Stotfold) they've got all the mash and other food stuffs you could ever want! Just be careful not to come home with more chickens - I was there yesterday and could easily have impulse bought some bantams! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Layers Mash is a 'powdered' form (best way to describe it) of layers pellets. The Mash form is fed in farms as its works best in the automatic feeders and takes longer for chickens to consume therefore keeping them occupied. When you first get your rescue girls they will only be used to and only know food as layers mash (you can get this at any feed suppliers and very probably online) and they must only be fed layers mash for a few weeks (obviously treats are allowed :D ). After a few weeks you can gradually start to mix in a handful layers pellets to the layers mash, slowly increasing this over a couple of months until they get used to food in a new form. Sorry if I sound a bit preachy :oops: don't mean to......... I help every month at the local BHWT rescues and have ex batts myself so if there's anything you need to know just pm me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Try the Marriages feeds website - they have stockists all over the Uk & I was really suprised to find my local tiny pet shop stocks their mash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 The ex-batts are used to eating the layers mash in dry form so mixing it with yoghurt would not really be suitable. Mine have dry mash available to them at all times but they are also eating wet mash made with cod liver oil, marmite, poultry spice, milk and limestone flour now. They love it but I wouldn't take away the dry mash yet as they scoff that at every opportunity too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonie Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I need to get some of that too If you mean mash, Moonie, then get yourself to Thornes (opposite Fairfield Park, Stotfold) they've got all the mash and other food stuffs you could ever want! Just be careful not to come home with more chickens - I was there yesterday and could easily have impulse bought some bantams! Jo Hi Jo, yes i'm heading there tomorrow. I've been there a few times now and get very tempted to come back with a couple of girls! I always end up chatting to the oldish man that works there, he talks a lot and always offers up some good advice, although he doesn't approve of a few things like garlic in their food and hemcore, so I will try and avoid him tomorrow as he probably won't approve of mash!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 In my ignorance, I thought layers mash was pellets soaked and mashed up and the poor things nearly starved until I shouted 'help' on here. Luckily the little garden shop in the village here sells layers mash so once I found out what I was doing wrong I was able to sort it quickly. Now I know more about chicken keeping I am amazed at how stupid I was. I get it online now from Wiggly Wigglers. as they do layers mash with bokashi bran and the girls love it. It is probably more expensive than other makes but I only have 3 girls so not a huge flock to feed. The largest bag they do is 12.5 Kg, so even if I order 25Kg it comes in two bags which makes it easier to handle and helps keep it fresh They do not like pellets or poultry spice and are not very keen on mixed corn. They love broccoli and mashed potato so long as it is well cooked! and brussel sprouts and tuna are OK but they would give their eye teeth for mealworms and make lovely little squeaking noises as they hoover them up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I always end up chatting to the oldish man that works there, he talks a lot and always offers up some good advice That's Frank - he is a bit old school so keep it quiet that you've got an Eglu/Cube! He was the one who gave me mash when I got my girls - I think you're more likely to get questioned if you want pellets! I know he doesn't like Hemcore - he told me it 'gets into the hens' which sounds so awful I didn't ask any further! I was talking with Karl (the owner - youngish, handsome one who's not the young handsome spanish one ) and mentioned garlic and he said it's good against worms so there's no general Thornes anti-garlic stance! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 I help every month at the local BHWT rescues and have ex batts myself so if there's anything you need to know just pm me Thanks for that Pam, I'll keep that in mind. Cinnamon, I already tried the Marriages website but when I put my post code in it said there are no suppliers near me. It's not like I live in the middle of nowhere! Have tried Petsathome this afty, no joy, will try local pet store and horsey shop and if still get nowhere I will order it online. Thanks to everyone for your help on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 I gave mine pellets and also crushed up pellets to make some mash. They didn't even look at the mash and went straight for the pellets. That was half hour wasted! Yours might do the same if they see the others eating it anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted January 18, 2008 Author Share Posted January 18, 2008 Been to our local horsey shop today but surprise surprise, they don't sell chicken feed. However, thought I'd try our local pet shop round the corner and although they didn't have any, the very nice and helpful lady in there said she could order some layers mash for me That's saved me some delivery costs anyway. I'm not even getting my girls til the end of March and already I'm worried about them eating! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...