Best liner/ bedding for drop tray

[Sarah B]

Hi All,

 

Eeek! Realised this morning I have been giving my girls organic layers pellets that went out of date on the 14th June I had no idea they had a fairly limited 'shelf life'? (Wondering if this may explain the early undeveloped eggs I've been getting from Tikka and the smaller eggs from Madras) - oh the shame

 

Anyway, the only thing I could get locally this morning was non organic layers pellets from Jollyes, no idea re the make as all they had left were the ones in the 'bin' thing and no bags. They look and smell different. Has anyone else had to do this in an emergency and did the hens eat them and were they ok?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Edit - what is the difference in nutritional value between organic and non organic pellets anyway? Do the non organic ones have chemicals used in the preparation?

[Egluntyne]

They should be OK so long as they haven't gone off.

 

The manufacturers put a use by date on them, as they can't guarantee the vitamin and mineral content will remain optimal after a certain date.

 

They should be OK with them until you can replace them.

[Sarah B]

Hello Egluntine!

 

I have another bag of organic in the garage that is also dated 14th June unopened What do you think I should do? Give the out of date organic pellets or leave the new non organic pellets for a couple of days to see if there is a change in the early egg problem with Tikka?

 

I guess I will have to see if they are actually going to eat the non organic first - they are free ranging at mo so I wont know till tomorrow evening.

 

How do you know when the pellets are actually 'off'?

 

Thanks for replying

[Egluntyne]

How do you know when the pellets are actually 'off'?

 

They can smell a bit fusty and look not quite right.

 

It does seem a shame to waste them, but if you have a large amount, your hens are never going to get through them.

 

I'd offer the unopened bag to a local city farm or rescue centre....or put it on freecycle, and start a fresh bag for my own girls.

 

Mine prefer unorganic pellets I'm afraid....they just weren't eating the other ones.

 

You are probably best not buying too many bags at once.

[Stevie]

In addition to Egluntines top advice.If they're freeranging part of their time too-it shouldnt make much difference because they suppliment their diet with everything else in your garden.

 

I've tried mine on Dodson & Horrell GM free (genetically modified) mash & pellets and they seem to prefer both types over Omlets organic pellets.Havent noticed an increase or decrease in egg size/production for that matter.The only difference is on your pocket-Omlet £14...Dodson & Horrell £6.75-both for 20kg sacks!

[Sarah B]

Interesting, so this may not be the root cause of my early egg and smaller egg problem then. Back to the drawing board on that one! (They have limestone flour and proper calcium grit).

 

Well I think I'm going to try mine on the non organic and see what happens for a couple of days and as you say Egluntine donate the out of date feed? Does anyone know of a place in the South Hants area who would be grateful of it? We were going to take it down the tip! They would have to collect. Anyone interested please PM me.

 

Stevie, may have a look at your food too - sounds good! Oh if only I were a hen for 5 mins and could taste test

 

Thanks I'm happier about it all now.