Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[Lorax]

I know this will no doubt become like second nature once I'm doing it, but I really can't get my head around chicken feed.

 

What do I need?

 

There's organic chicken feed which seems to have everything my chickens might want, in it.

There are organic layers pellets - how is this different?

Then there's corn, mixed corn. Then I hear you all talk about something called mash...

 

My cube has left the building. It's coming on Monday. I'm already scared.

[Redwing]

Layers pellets are little pellets of chicken food, most POL hens will have been eating these

 

Layers mash is a grainy powder fed dry - some brands are chunkier than others, similar in nutritional value to pellets. It keeps chickens occupied for longer (good if they are in a small run) but they do tend to waste quite a bit of it and sour food in a run isnt a good thing! ex battery hens will be used to this sort of food

 

The organic generically names 'chicken feed' will be either mash or pellets - its not a different type of feed

 

Corn is a word used often to describe a mixture of grains, mostly wheat, this should be treated as a treat food and the chooks can have some late in the day - its especially good for winter time if fed just before roosting time as the chicken is kept warmer from the efforts of digesting it overnight

 

Some people refer to feed that has been mixed with warm water (pellets or mash) as 'mash' which confuses the issue - chickens love this porridge type stuff as a treat

[chicken bark]

As I understand it for POL hens there is layers mash and layers pellets. The mash is a little messy but keeps them occupied longer so it is good for confined hens. The pellets are mash formed into pellets and so is quicker for the hen to eat.

 

That food contains everything a laying hen needs. Organic feed is the same feed it is just organic. You can get GM free and probably lots of different types.

 

When the weather is cooler it is worth having corn (or mixed corn which just has other grains in it too) to feed them as a treat in the afternoons. Corn helps keep them warm.

 

You can also give them wheat or barley or anything like that as a treat.

 

FWIW I have Smallholders layers pellets (which are suitable for vegetarians although I'm not a veggie), and mixed corn.

 

I can see Redwing has already answered but as 'Ive typed it all in I may as well submit it.

[Lorax]

Ah I see, so pellets or mash same thing, just differently presented? And corn good for treats and winter.

 

What about grit then? Only give if not free-ranging?

 

If anyone has any questions about sourdough bread I'll be very happy to reciprocate!

[Redwing]

mash and pellets arent exactly the same make up but are close enough

 

Grit is needed in addition but they will take very little if they are free ranging

[Lorax]

Thanks so much to you all.