Used Omlet outdoor rabbit run Width 2.2m Height 2.05m Length 3.1m vgc.

[Chicken deficient]

I've always fed my bantams the Organic Layers Pellets. They've always been quite slim though.

Several of them are having a really heavy moult this year.

I was talking to Frank at Thornes today and his advice, similar to what I have read in places here, was to put them on growers instead of layers to help them through their moult and put some weight on them.

 

...but I'm confused - I've looked up several feed manufacturers, including Organic (part of Allen and Page) and Marriages - it seems that the growers tend to be lower in protein and fat that the layers pellets. (I assume calcium is higher in layers also).

 

So, surely that would mean that they would be less likely to gain weight on growers than layers?!

 

Has anyone found any particular feeds good for helping them to gain weight and condition? (I was looking into the Omlet food, (but can't find the analysis), or Garvo, (but don't think I can get it round here).

 

Thanks

 

p.s. I'm not planning on fattening them up for Christmas or anything - we're vegetarian!

[Egluntyne]

There ismore cacium in layers pellets.

 

You could give them unmedicated chick crumbs, which are high in protein, or breeders pellets which tend to be higher in protein (up to 18% and are noted for putting weight on birds.)

 

Not always easy to get hold over the counter though. You may have to place an order.

[Chicken deficient]

Just had a thought - ex bat crumbs might do it?

[Egluntyne]

Worth a try.

[Aunty e]

You can get ex batt crumb in Pets at Home - my ex batts are hoovering it up. We always used to feed chick crumb when they were moulting. We also fed them the odd tin of cat food, but fishy cat food/tuna does taint the eggs a bit. And some people think it's icky. They didn't see my lot rip apart and devour a bunch of frogs and mice last week obviously.

[Lavenders_Blue]

All my girls have ex bat crumbs. I have 4 ex bats and a hybrid I acquired from a neighbour. The ex bats are all lovely and plump, the other hybrid is a real skinny minnie. I think it's just how they are, as they all have the same food and are all wormed etc. The ex bat crumb certainly doen't seem to have fattened Lottie up any.

How about feeding them some mixed corn evey day? It will also help to keep them warm in the cold weather.

 

Edited to add: I also gave them some fish yesterday as I have 3 of my 5 moulting at the moment and Lottie, in particular, is looking very pathetic. The way they tucked into it you would think I had been starving them Now worried I am going to get a fishy egg today though...

[Chicken deficient]

I feel a bit sick now poor frogs and meeces!

 

Friendly Farmer I get the food from has ordered me a bag of ex bat crumbs to try. They get corn every afternoon and now some mealworms, (I'm sure I can see them moving in the pot...), and I've just wormed them again.

 

He's trying to find out how to get hold of Garvo too - fingers crossed.