2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[Surfin]

I am still in the planning stage of keeping my first chickens. I've now built a good size coop. Managed to allocate 8 square metres of land for the run. Planning the run coverings etc. So things are making steady progress.

 

My thoughts are now on feeding the six POL chickens I intend to stock. I estimate they will eat 1 20kg bag per month. I need the plus and minus points between mash and pellets. Also a good reliable brand recommendation would help.

 

I am having difficulty of finding a local supplier in the West Yorkshire area so I need to source a good reliable national supplier that is reasonable on delivery costs. I guess I will order 60 kg every 3 months.

 

Thank you in anticipation of your response.

 

Ian

[Egluntyne]

I prefer to feed pellets to my hens as it makes far less mess, but is is a personal choice. Mash takes longer to eat so keeps them busier.

 

As for suppliers, no idea, sorry. Omlet have an free delivery offer on at the mo. See the bottom of the page for the promotional code.

[alet_chicken]

Whereabouts are you in West Yorkshire? Maybe somebody else on here can recommend a feed place. I would recommend getting feed in smaller quantities from a local supplier if you can, because feed does go off after a while (and I think the shelf life is about 3 months).

 

As for mash vs. pellets, Egluntyne has summed it up in one. I feed pellets to mine purely on the basis that it causes so much less mess.

[green]

Another vote for pellets. I've never used mash, but the chooks seem to be happy eating pellets and as already said, no mess and no wasted food.

[chicken bark]

I feed mine pellets. There is a place called Thompsons near York that mill their own feed. Their shop it also an aladdins cave of goodies. You'll get everything you need there. I have also used a few places round the LS22/23 area so if that is near you let me know and I can recommend a couple of places.

 

As for brands Argo are good and quite cheap. Allen & Page Smallholders are excellent as they are a smaller pellet but more expensive as they are organic. Garvo is meant to be excellent but I think the nearest stockist is in Bradford which is too far for me but might be good for you. From what I have read Garvo is a little more expensive but the birds eat less so it works out cheaper.

[Surfin]

Thanks for all of the replies. It looks like I'll be buying pellets.

 

Chicken Bark I live about 4 miles from Bradford and as I like the look of Garvo so that would be bliss if there is a Bradford stockist.

 

Whoopee...... I have found Darvills as the local supplier for Garvo.....I know them well under 3 miles from me.....Oh Joy. I will ring them on Monday.

 

Ian

[katek]

where is a good place to buy food in South Manchester

[Surfin]

Garvo...... I rang Darvill's my local petshop and they do stock Garvo 731 layers pellets for sale at £9.60. So that's my my food sorted for when I need it.

 

Incidentally when I asked him for feedback on this item he said that his customers said the stock eat less of this product, which I have heard before and that it had a longer shelf life than other brands. Can anyone confirm this?

 

Ian

[Space Chick]

That is true If you can also get them a bag of Garvo alpha mix that is fab as a more complete treat too and my girls love it

[lillybettybabs]

My ladies are very fussy,

I would prefer pellets (they went on strike when i fed them) they love their Omlet mash!

[coco]

My girls all have smallholder pellets and don't usually make much mess, having said that I'm worming them this week and the little madams had thrown the pellets all over the run floor.

[mostin]

Garvo...... I rang Darvill's my local petshop and they do stock Garvo 731 layers pellets for sale at £9.60. So that's my my food sorted for when I need it.

 

Incidentally when I asked him for feedback on this item he said that his customers said the stock eat less of this product, which I have heard before and that it had a longer shelf life than other brands. Can anyone confirm this?

 

Ian

 

Just seen this post........I live over in Leeds, as you can see, and I am sooooo jealous that you have the Garvo stockist near to you . I was giving the Garvo reps some hassle at the National show last weekend as to why there wasn't a stockist nearer me yet .

 

Don't forget to keep an eye out in the get-togethers section..............we Yorkshire Omleteers have quite a few get togethers , and we are a friendly bunch .

 

Have you found a supplier for cheap bedding for the floor of your run, and shavings for nest box etc. yet? I know there are quite a few farm shops just up Thornton road and around that area so hopefully one of those should be good for you.

 

let us all know when you finally get your chooks, oooohh and buy the way, the metal dustbins sold by IKEA are perfect for storing open sacks of feed in to keep them protected from the damp and rodents.

[Surfin]

Thanks for the advice Mostin.

 

I have decided to use Nedz Bedz Pro as the flooring/nesting material.

 

I've sourced this from a company called DS Morley Bonds farm @ 6.55 per bale. Postage looks to be £7.99 regardless of quantity. I will order 6 to 8 bales initially I think.

 

Ian