Cube mk2 and WIR

[Angels4]

I just recieved a shipment of feed. 100lbs of layers mash and 50lbs of layers pellets. I couldn't find garlic powder (used for horses) but I was able to find brewers yeast with garlic powder (used for homeing pidgeons).

 

My plan is to mix the pellets with the mash in alternating rows (like a parfait) while mixing in the brewers yeast w/garlic, and DE. What do you all think? Will the brewers yeast effect the girls in a negative way? Does anybody have any thoughts?

Edited September 26, 2008 by Guest

[Chicken Licken]

I think I'd mix up just a little bit first to make sure they eat it - it would be awful to ruin all that feed. I have recently started mixing the bokashi into the layers pellets bag and that works nicely - not sure about the garlic powder/ brewers yeast stuff... but someone more knowledgeable will be along in a mo I'm sure.

[Mumpty]

I've ordered both layers pellets and mash as I'd read somewhere that they don't always take to pellets and they also eat thier daily quota a lot quicker and becasuse they take longer to eat the mash, they don't get as bored and there's less pecking and bullying. Don't know if it will work as girls not here yet.

 

Haven't heard about giving brewers yeast though.

[Egluntyne]

I haven't heard about giving hens brewers yeast either.

[Angels4]

Ok so I've done some research and have found that "brewers yeast" contains all the essential B vitamins poultry need, and is used as a protien supplement during a moult (as opposed to tuna, or cat food) for a fully feathered bird. It also has probiotic properties and aids in digestion. It is also used to help prevent ascites which is a pulmonary disease which of course attacks the heart. Instead of mixing it in with 100lbs of feed, I have been instructed (label) to mix 2tbs to 1lb of feed 2 times per week using 1tps olive oil or such to coat the pellets. I'm choosing to use cod liver oil as I've heard that mentioned on the forum in the past. I also have the added bonus of having garlic in the formula, which will cut down on the oder of pooh. That is why garlic powder is used, isn't it?

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

I found my garlic powder in one of those little local international mini-supermarkets which have every spice under the sun in them. Most towns (sorry, countryside dwellers, you don't get them so much in the countryside) have at least one 'ethnic' mini-mart. You can pick up good sized bags of spices (not like those piddly tiny pots you get in big supermarkets) for around a pound, including garlic powder. Those little shops smell amazing. All the spices mingle into something really rich and warm. I just stood there sniffing for about five minutes, much to the shopkeeper's amusement!

[Egluntyne]

Sounds interesting Angels4.

 

Let us know how your hens get on with it.

[Angels4]

Sounds interesting Angels4.

 

Let us know how your hens get on with it.

 

I have been mixing 2tbs of the Brewers Yeast and Garlic in the girls feed every other day since August 29th (almost a month). I haven't noticed any negative effects on the girls. Thier feathers are shiny. Thier combs red, and thier pooh doesn't smell. I also get an egg a day from all 4 (no days off for these ladies) so brewers yeast good.

 

However if you remember I also bought 150lbs of food less than a month ago!! It is GONE!! Is this possible? I've only got four girls. Am I feeding them to much? Help

[Egluntyne]

Am I feeding them to much? Help

It does seem a lot weight wise, but they won't eat more than they can physically manage.

 

As long as they are well, pottering about, laying eggs and not getting fat, I wouldn't worry.

[Angels4]

Thank you Egluntine.

[mostin]

Ok so I've done some research and have found that "brewers yeast" contains all the essential B vitamins poultry need, and is used as a protien supplement during a moult (as opposed to tuna, or cat food) for a fully feathered bird. It also has probiotic properties and aids in digestion. It is also used to help prevent ascites which is a pulmonary disease which of course attacks the heart.

 

That is really interesting, our vet once told us to give brewers yeast to the cat when she wasn't well, it seems to be good for everything.

[Janty]

I give my girls a teaspoon of marmite a day dissolved in hot water with their morning layers mash porridge.

[Sheilaz]

 

However if you remember I also bought 150lbs of food less than a month ago!! It is GONE!! Is this possible? I've only got four girls. Am I feeding them to much? Help

 

Are you sure it's the hens eating it? Best to check that it's not rats eating it, as it does sound an enormous quantity to get through.

 

You probably can't overfeed the hens, they'll stop when their crops are full. I liked reading about the brewer's yeast.

[Angels4]

Thanks Sheila. I'm 99.9% positive it is not rats. Feed is stored in a hugh metal bin and the grub is taken inside once the girls have gone to bed. We refer to our back garden as "The Killing Field" because with three very good hunters (Ray, Rachael, and Pumpkin) most small mammals mice, chipmunks, squirrels don't stand much of a chance.

I have noticed however the girls knock the food out of the grub onto the floor of the run and although they peck through it on the floor I suspect there is a large amount of waste going on. I'm off to fashion a catch basin to see if that helps.