DW Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 How long can I leave pellets in the feeder? My 2 chooks are not laying yet and are therefore not getting through all that much food. I top-up the feeder every few days, but am conscious that the ones at the bottom (together with the garlic powder and bokashi bran) have probably been there for a fortnight or more..... Do the pellets go off? D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 They will be fine. I'd just give them a little stir from time to time. You could put less in each time too, if you are worried. As soon as they come into lay their appetites quadruple and you will be filling it every day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 They go off eventually, like all foodstuffs, but on a scale of months, not days My only concern would be that it might spoil eventually in this damp weather. I would let the level run down, perhaps at the weekend when you can keep an eye on them, and refill it when they've emptied it. Or you could empty the remains out into a dish, add some water and a few treats (e.g. raisins or sweetcorn) to make a yummy porridge, and watch them finish it off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DW Posted March 11, 2008 Author Share Posted March 11, 2008 Mmmm. Garlicky porridge with sweetcorn. Sounds gross, but the chooks will probably love it! I'll follow Eglutine's advice, stop refilling for a bit and then try your suggestion. ...and - you never know - the girls may eventually decide to start laying! D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 I tend to empty the grub and glug every Friday night and wash them well then start afresh on Saturday. That said, now mine are all laying there's not usually much mash left in the grub at the end of the day! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Yes its something to bare in mind if its frosty over night or very misty. Althouh dry stored pellets will be fine, if they get wet they turn 'sour' rather quickly and that wont impress your chooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Yes they do go off - each sack has a use by date (usually 2-3 months) - the balanced diet i.e. the added vitimins and minerals are not guaranteed to be present after that date, so with a few hens it is always checking the sack when buying and getting as long a date as you can. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DW Posted March 11, 2008 Author Share Posted March 11, 2008 This afternoon I tried making 'porridge' with some of the pellets (using an oats:pellets ratio of about 1:3) and it worked a dream! The girls thought they were getting a yummy treat, but it was really 3/4 much-better-for-them pellets (with garlic powder and bokashi bran thrown in for luck).....I didn't even bother spiking it with sweetcorn! D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
