theherd123 Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Are these the same thing? When my battery chickens arrive they will have been fed on layers mash so im just wondering if pellets will be ok food for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Practically! Pellets are just more compact! However chooks WILL tell the difference and may turn their noses up at pellets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Yes they are the same thing. I'm not sure about the ex batts eating pellets I would be inclined if you already have pellets to grind them up back into mash, gradually over a period of time grinding less until the hens can eat the pellets whole. If that is too much faffing about buying a bag of mash would be better (and I would probably do that ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 20, 2006 Author Share Posted October 20, 2006 Thanks chaps thats really useful. Now for another quick question just to confuse things - the organic food company sell layers pellets and layers meal - will the meal be the same as mash? This feeding chickens marlarkey is quite confusing you know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Hi Emma, Not sure about the layers meal, but my ex batts wouldn't eat the pellets even though I tried grinding them up, mixing them with yoghurt, making them into porrige etc. but I was so worried about them needing to eat, I bought some mash too. It was worth it just to see them eat and boy did they! trouble is the mash smells horrible when it's raining or been on the floor and very messy, because they kick it all over the place looking for the tasty bits, now my girls eat the pellets readily, it look a good couple of weeks, then mixing mash and pellets together for a while, I'm not sure where you are? but you are welcome to the rest of this bag if you'd like it, there's probably at leat half of it left. karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Yes Emma, the meal is mash. We had a job changing our original two from mash to pellets and it took some time. As Karen says, you may be worried about ex bats. eating so you could try just adding a few pellets to the mash. Increase the amount of pellets gradually and they should start to eat pellets as well and eventually change over completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Just what I was going to say Lesley! Allen and Page organic pellets are my girls favourite food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 20, 2006 Author Share Posted October 20, 2006 Thanks so much for all your help guys its relly useful esp as the girls will be with us in just 2 weeks! I am very worried about them eating and i had a feeling pellets may not be a great starter with them but i get a bag of pellets with my eglu i think? I think i have found a supplier of organic feed near to me but i will have to check if they do mash Does anyone know of a company that can supply & deliver organic layers mash and can do so within the next two weeks? I'm not sure where you are? but you are welcome to the rest of this bag if you'd like it, there's probably at leat half of it left. karen x Karen thank you so much for your kind offer its really sweet of you and if i were any closer i would gladly take you up on it but Cheshire is a little too far im afraid Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freak29 Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Mine were fine, try adding water to make a mushy substance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 21, 2006 Author Share Posted October 21, 2006 Thanks for that Freak29, i will look for organic layers mash first and use your idea if i fail in my quest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted October 21, 2006 Share Posted October 21, 2006 I just bought a bag of Organic layers meal for my girls as they stopped eating the pellets, I got it online from these people - it cost me about £16 for the bag and delivery (Cheaper than omlet!) http://www.henfieldpoultry.com/HomePage.php Jayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 21, 2006 Author Share Posted October 21, 2006 Thanks Jayne i have used the link and found someone local who does layers mash - you are a little trooper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 I have to say they had their first mix of pellets and meal yesterday and they couldn't keep their heads out of the grub all day!! All the pellets ended up on the floor but the meal was gone - First time I had had to fill it up after one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
