Feeding advice for bantams (one broody, one moulting)

[littlegem]

I am new to this only had my girls for 2 weeks and have just purchased some Bokashi, Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic Powder and Poultry Spice but the only one that has any directions on is the Poultry spice and that says 1 teaspoon to be given in the usual wet or dry mash for every 10 fowls..........I have only got 2 the Garlic powder only has instructions for horses!!! the Cider Vinegar and Bokashi has no instructions..help do any of you know how much/how often and where I put it all. At the moment mine are only having layer pellets and a few treats. I'm sure someone done a list of instructions on here but can I find it again Any advice will be gratefully received......I'm sure once I have sorted this out there will be more questions

[The Dogmother]

Don't worry, you're not on your own - I get asked this question all the time at my advanced courses.

 

I mix my pellets up in 1 litre containers and add a tablespoonful of Bokashi, 2 tspns of garlic powder and only use poultry spice when they are moulting or one of the hens is ill. As for the ACV, I add a very non-accurate splosh to their water... probably a teaspoon.

[helenmb]

Welcome to the wonderful world of chicken keeping - fun isn't it but rather overwhelming with all the 'stuff' you can buy to add to their food and water. I have found a few bits of info from the forum .....

 

Lots of people on this forum don't use any supplements so don't feel you need to do everything. For me, I started with no supplements at all, and now I do this:

 

Daily:

- Mixed poultry grit - have in pot in coup constantly.

- Garlic Powder - 2 teaspoons a day in pellets - I absolutely swear by it - reduces poo smells

- Apple Cider Vinegar - good for their gut. I try and remember to put a capfull in water daily but don't always remember.

 

Weekly:

- Poultry Spice - every now and again, maybe once a week. But is good if they are moulting.

 

When needed:

- Limestone flour - only when my girls lay softies consistently (rather than the odd one) and need extra calcium.

- Flubenvet - I worm my girls routinely every 4 months.

- Citricidal - I personally only use it when my girls have sniffles but some use it all the time.

from What suppliments do you give your chickens and when?

 

I have now put two teaspoons of garlic powder in their pellets

 

and

 

With ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) I put about a table spoon 15ml per glug. But I started off with just a bit then increased it as they got used to it. Too much and my girls won't drink.

from garlic powder question

 

The bokashi does make poo and any compostable material break down more quickly. I sprinkle a bit into the bottom of my Eglu poo tray but the girls love the bran so much they are inclined to eat it so only use it towards the back of the tray to make it less accessible to them.

 

I use Bokashi Layers Mash that I buy from Wiggly Wigglers - you could add some to your own layers mash as its probably cheaper, keep meaning to do this myself and then always seem to go for the easier pre-mixed option.

 

The Garlic Powder really works with reducing poo wiffs too.

from cider vinegar and bokashi

 

Hope this helps

[littlegem]

Thanks for the replies they are really helpful...just one thing mine are only having layers pellets, I'm probably being thick but what is layers mash or mash is that something I should be giving them. Quote "I use Bokashi Layers Mash that I buy from Wiggly Wigglers - you could add some to your own layers mash as its probably cheaper" I have bought Bokashi Active Bran is that the wrong stuff do I just sprinkle it in the Eglu tray........... or can the girls eat it

[stoice]

Layers mash is the same contents as layers pellets, it just comes in a powdery form instead of extruded into a pellet shape. You can add Bokashis Bran to your own layers pellets/mash or wiggly wigglers make their own premix of bokashi and layers mash (Dry powder-like feed) However just to confuse things people do make a porridgy 'mash' for their girls by adding water to the pellets or mash, from then you can also add other bits like poultry spice, limestone flour if needed or other treats like sweetcorn, raisins etc.

 

Hope this helps

[helenmb]

I use layers mash (plus I also have pellets on offer) as my girls are not free ranging during the day and it helps keep the boredom down a bit as it takes them longer to eat than the pellets. Its a sort of powdery mixture which is compressed into pellet form which is what you have. My girls seem to like the mash more but there is always the danger that they will pick out the bits they like the best and therefore not get the best combo of nutrients. I have used pellets very successfully previously, its just my new girls had been brought up on mash so I gave them the choice.

 

Bokashi active bran is great stuff and your girls will love it. Its very useful as it helps their digestion and keep poos firm. It also helps break down the poo if you compost it and reduces the smell a bit but the garlic powder is best for this.

 

I have used the bran in the tray but as my girls love it so much they try to eat it through the roosting bars so I now just give it to them in their feed or as a treat.

[tom123]

I give the girls cider vinegar as 25ml to every 1 litre which I read in a book.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Tom