Part 0800.0005

[stoice]

I visited Rose Hill Hatchery in Essex over the weekend as I was looking for some hybrids to keep Mabel company now that Gladys slipped away last week. They only had some Warrens (But plenty of pure breeds) so I didn't buy any birds from there but I did buy some Garvo 730 mash. The guy there informed me that the probable reason Gladys developed sour crop was from the Marriage mash I had been feeding her (And Marriages also supply Copdock feed too?). He said that even in pellet form the feed is full of dust and the girls have to consume so much that it fills their crops up so much that it sometimes doesn't go down fast enough over night. Runny botties can also be a factor of the feed too. This was all news to me as this had been the only 'food' related death I'd experienced since having chickens on Marriages or Copdock for two years. I also realise he was trying to sell Garvo so I have to take what he says to a point as slightly biased. Either way, I'd read about Garvo on here and had rave reviews so I already knew it'd be good stuff. I've still got some Marriages mash left so will carry on till it's gone but I bought a sack of Garvo 730 layers mash.

 

He says he feeds his chooks 4 days a week from feeders with 730 mash then three days a week with 'Garvo scratch' scattered around the pen. I understand that birds require less intake of Garvo feed, do you guys still fill a grub and let them pick at what they want? Or do you roughly work out how much per bird to give and only put out that much?

Do you do as he does and also use the scratch feed for a few days a week? Again how much?

I've read people have bought Alfamix too. Is this a complete feed or used as a treat?

 

Sorry for the questions, just a little confused.

 

(I got some new girls from Essex Chickens at Smilers farm down the road in the end - pics posted in another thread soon)

 

Stacey x

[Janty]

I have never used Marriages feeds but it's not exactly a cheapy make. I thought that they had a good reputation. I can't imagine your girl died as a result of being fed Marriages feed.

 

[stoice]

Thats what I thought. I think it was mostly him trying to sell me the Garvo (I was already going to try some though, it was part of the reason i went there). He said he doesn't stock any other poultry feed than Garvo now as 'all British feed is full of dust'

 

You hear so many conflicting reports from so many different suppliers it must be so confusing if you're new to chicken keeping. Like on another thread I've read on here that a supplier wouldn't sell them chickens because they had an eglu! Ridiculous.

 

Garvo looks good though. It looks so yummy for the girls even I'd be tempted!

[Janty]

I haven't tried my chickens on Garvo yet but I feed the quail on the quailmixture and they love it.

[Falkor]

Hi

 

Never used Marriages so couldn`t comment on that but I am an HUGE Garvo fan

 

Here is a link the the Garvo brochure which should explain which feed and when.

 

Re quantities I just fill the feeders with the Mash (730) and let them eat what they want, when they want it. I tend to alternate between the Mash (730) and the Layers Pellets (731) but that is just to give them a change.

 

Regarding changing to Scratch for a few days a week I have not heard this before but was he clear on which product he was referring to? Garvo sell Scratcher Layers Pellets (5030) which is designed to be fed to birds that are free ranging and able to munch on grass and other garden goodies in addition to the feed. BUT Garvo also make Chicken Scratch (5121 & 5132) which is listed under the Corn and Treats section.

 

The Alfamix range is marketed as a complete feed but is a little pricey so I would imagine it would only be suitable if you only have a few chooks or a lot of money!

[stoice]

He gave me a sample of what it think is 5132 scratch looking at the picture. The girls loved it.

 

I think he used the scratch as the website says...

 

"When breeding or showing season is over, you can keep your chickens and cocks in perfect condition with 730 layers mash or 731 layers pellets. You can also give them this prior to the breeding season. If you do not supplement this with corns, layer feed will give your animals a slenderer condition. Layer feed is also very suitable for chickens of which you want to have an egg once in a while."

 

I think I'll just put out the 730 as i would any other feed then and give a little mixed corn in the early evenings as normal

[Falkor]

That is what I do (although my corn is mixed with crunched up mealworms )

[Redwing]

I use the scratch as a treat only, I use the fine scratch as that means I can include chicks on the treat rounds from about 6 weeks old

[The Dogmother]

My lot won't eat Marriages for soem reason, but they love Smallholder pellets and Garvo.

[Christian]

I have been feeding mine marriages for 4 years and not had a problem. Occasionally feed them Heygates when Marriages is out of stock.

[sparkysmum]

I feed mine Garvo Alpha mix. It is unfortunately hugely expensive esp when I have to pay for postage BUT it is a real pleasure to see the ladies wolfing it down. They pretty well ignored other mash & pellets.I think however I may try to ration it to try to make it more economical. Axx