thelurch Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 I started my 5 off on layers pellets only which they ate fine, but then as we started to develop the pecking issues I decided to try them on a little mash and they seem to wolf it down. Now this might be because it takes them longer to eat the same amount or could it be that this is most likely what they were fed on at the breeder? I'm quite happy to give them just mash as at the moment one feeder is full of mash and the other pellets and the pellets don't seem to go down now. I have been crushing and making the 20kg bag of pellets into mash as I need it as I don't want to waste the bag but it takes ages each time. I'd there any difference between the two apart from one is pressed into pellets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 There is really no difference in the food content. However, if your chickens are in a run for most of the time, it takes longer to fill up on mash, so gives them something to do. On the other hand, if they freerange, then pellets are what most people feed. Personally, I find pellets much easier and they don't blow about the way that mash does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 I've kept mine on ex batt crumbs. It seems to be a "half way house" between mash and pellets, no mess like you get with the mash but takes them longer to eat than pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 I'm with Bramble on this one, I had mine on the ex batts pellets but have gone back to the ex batts crumbs and it does take them longer to eat it and it isn't messy like the mash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burtie14 Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Crumbs? I've not heard of them. Are they suitable for non ex-batts? If so - where can I get some?! I'd like to try mash, to slow their eating down and hopefully reduce pecking - but it sounds like quite a time-consuming faff to prepare it all for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 I'm currently debating Mash vs pellets....so any advice will be gratefully received....getting the girls withi the next week or so ,, so ordering today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelurch Posted September 8, 2010 Author Share Posted September 8, 2010 Crumbs? I've not heard of them. Are they suitable for non ex-batts? If so - where can I get some?! I'd like to try mash, to slow their eating down and hopefully reduce pecking - but it sounds like quite a time-consuming faff to prepare it all for them. Mash is just the same stuff as pellets but in a powder form, you just give it to them like that, you don't make mash ( I always thought it was something you had to mix up like mash potato ! ) It just keeps them busier than eating pellets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Mine get both. Pellets in the grub and some meal in coop cups to keep them occupied. I'm just using it up really, I can buy small bags. The woof the meal (suppose it's same as mash) but also get through the pellets. I will stick to pellets long term to prevent mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Mine can make a right old mess with mash unless it is fed wet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 I also feed ex bats crumb. I have do ex bats but decided not to switch them to pellets for exactly the same reason as other people have said - the crumb keeps them busier for longer. Lottie, my chicken of fate, is not an ex bat but seems to be doing okay on the ex bats crumbs! That said, I went to have a look at the Fancy Feeds stand at Burghley Horse Trials last weekend. The lady there showed me a sample of the pellets, they look smaller than normal pellets. I have sent off for a free sample to see what they are like and if the girls like it because it is about £3 per sack cheaper than the ex bats crumbs..... decisions, decisions..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Crumbs? I've not heard of them. Are they suitable for non ex-batts? If so - where can I get some?! I'd like to try mash, to slow their eating down and hopefully reduce pecking - but it sounds like quite a time-consuming faff to prepare it all for them. Yes you can feed the ex batts crumbs to non ex batts too. It's a bit like the texture of a crumble mixture you get from rubbing butter into flour when you make an apple crumble. The mash is more of a powder and they do tend to chuck it all over the place. I started mine off on the mash when I first got them as that was what they had been used to but gosh did they get it all over the place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldstar Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 I started feeding mine on pellets. When that ran out bought some more, or so I thought, I bougt mash by mistake. The girls love it so that is what I feed now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie9946 Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 mine are not particullay keen on pellets or crumb, but do go mad for the mash. what i didn't realise though (because I am thick) is that the mash is just the pellets and crumb ground down. weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karena Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I'm not entirely convinced it is just pellets ground down. I can believe one can make mash that way, but my mash, which is same brand as my pellets were, does not look like pellets ground down. Sure it has some powder, but it has bits in it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie9946 Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 can anyone advise which is the best mash, im having a browse now, loads of different ones, and varying prices too. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karena Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I just got the one my local supplier has (farm something) but have sought out my local garvo supplier and ordered some from there based on what people have said here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess1merlin Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Mine love Garvo mash, I did try to change them back to Garvo pellets but they were not having any of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karena Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Yes mine look at pellets like it is some kind of joke now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Hello, I gave mine growers pellets when I got them (4 weeks ago now) and they didn't seem over enthralled by them. I ordered some of the Omlet feed thinking it would be pellets too but it's a mash type thing and I have to say they love it, so I'll be sticking to it instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Wiggly Wigglers, for my Girls, wont eat anything else. Also has Bokashi bran in to stop the smells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I'm not entirely convinced it is just pellets ground down. I can believe one can make mash that way, but my mash, which is same brand as my pellets were, does not look like pellets ground down. Sure it has some powder, but it has bits in it too. Youre right its not the same stuff Mash has different composition and nutritional stats to pellets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 oh wow, please sign me up as a thickie now!!! I always thought that if you bought mash you had to mix it with water to create a mush.... I never realised that you just fed it dry from the pack!!! durrr I've always fed pellets for ease; but sometimes especially when its cold or I want to get some extras into them, I mix it into a mash with warm water - that's why I thought is was called mash covered in embarassment now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 oh wow, please sign me up as a thickie now!!! I always thought that if you bought mash you had to mix it with water to create a mush.... I never realised that you just fed it dry from the pack!!! durrr I've always fed pellets for ease; but sometimes especially when its cold or I want to get some extras into them, I mix it into a mash with warm water - that's why I thought is was called mash covered in embarassment now... Don't be embarrassed.....I thought this too, I thought it was optional, ie could feed warm and wet on cold days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
