Tricky Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I am interested to know from anyone who has used Dodson and Horrell and Garvo,which one gave best results. Or, is there a better option than either of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I use ex-bat layers pellets for all of mine. I was ill a week or so ago and OH got me some other sort, and (it may be a coincidence) we've had a run of softies, so I'm off to get some more ex-bat feed. We can't get Garvo anyway and I've never had the other one. So I'll be interested in the response. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I have found Garvo to be far better for growing birds I use it for my adult hens as I find that they keep in very good condition on it and I believe it to be the best there is however for the average laying hen I guess you could argue that any good quality layers pellet would do the job just as well Things I've found in Garvo's favour are that the chickens eat less (after gorging on it when you first put them on it!) and the poos are less frequent, smaller and more solid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peckingham palace Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I wondered about changing my girls from the Omlet organic chicken food they cam with to something else and Garvo seems to be quite popular. Is it available to buy online does anyone know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted April 26, 2011 Author Share Posted April 26, 2011 I have found Garvo to be far better for growing birds I use it for my adult hens as I find that they keep in very good condition on it and I believe it to be the best there is however for the average laying hen I guess you could argue that any good quality layers pellet would do the job just as well Things I've found in Garvo's favour are that the chickens eat less (after gorging on it when you first put them on it!) and the poos are less frequent, smaller and more solid Thanks.I take it when you say "I have found Garvo far better...." you mean you have tried both and found garvo to give best results? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted April 26, 2011 Author Share Posted April 26, 2011 I wondered about changing my girls from the Omlet organic chicken food they cam with to something else and Garvo seems to be quite popular. Is it available to buy online does anyone know? Go to Garvo web page and you will find all UK stockists Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Hi, yes I have tried other brands before and not found the results to be as good but then I raise a lot of chicks and also show some of my birds so I have a different objective I guess For garden laying hens as long as a feed is good quality, relatively dust free (this is where Garvo really excel) and the chooks like it I'd probably not worry too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I've tried both and Garvo comes out top with my birds - they hated D&H feed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted April 26, 2011 Author Share Posted April 26, 2011 Garvo it is then.Thanks for your posts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peckingham palace Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I wondered about changing my girls from the Omlet organic chicken food they cam with to something else and Garvo seems to be quite popular. Is it available to buy online does anyone know? Go to Garvo web page and you will find all UK stockists I did that but there isn't anyone too close to us. Thanks anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I just wish they dud not use GM in the food Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 That's what's put me off too, Sandy. I have been using ex batt crumb for the last 18 months since I got my girls, and I really can't fault it at all. However... it now costs me £12.20 a sack which is A LOT in my opinion, so I have just switched to my first sack of smallholder free range layers meal. It looks identical to the crumb, has no GM or solvent extracted soya or artificial yolk colorants which are the kind of things that, as a bit of a hippy, are important to me. Girls seem happy, no problems with the eggs and £9.25 a sack so it looks like I'll be sticking to this for the time being until the day when I get some more batties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 To be fair some of the soya used by Garvo is GM, not all and it doesnt make up the majority of the feed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teacake Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Dodson & Horrel seems to be the best choice round here, other wise there's only farmgate, which is what the breeder had them on, and we bought one bag, but I'm thinking of getting something else. can't cope with the expense of delivery though..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bevmatt Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I use Fancy Feed and swear by it - won loads of classes at shows with my birds on it and lots of my friends have fed back that they cannot believe the difference in the feather quality - not overnight but after being on it a couple of months - not the most expensive feed either - just a really good feed and a fair price... Currently about £9 for a 20kg bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted April 27, 2011 Author Share Posted April 27, 2011 I didn't realise Garvo used GM products.shant be using that then. WEill be switching back to organic feed company.More expensive but worth it I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 I used Garvo alphamix but it broke the bank Switched to Wiggly Wigglers mash + bokashi. My ladies look ever so good on it but despite this I think I'll look at Fancy Feed next time, just for a change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 GM Soya in the one I have... won't be getting again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 But GM free doesn't necessarily guarentee GM free and Organic doesn't always mean ingredients are all organic so it is all much of a muchness IMO. On the Garvo/D&H point I use Garvo and have done for about 18m now I think. My stockist charges very reasonable prices aswell as stocking all things a chicken keeper may want so it makes sense for me. Also due to the wide range of animal feeds that are made by Garvo I am able to do a one stop shop for the normal chooks, chicks, growers (white and yellow) and quail and cats. I especially like the mini-pellets for chicks, much less mess than crumb. We have used D&H layers in the past aswell as Smallholders layers too and found little difference between the two. However in my laying lot (non batts) I am not too fussed as long as they are healthy and it is a balanced quality feed. I think use what suits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 Not tried D&H but changed to Garvo from bog standard stuff recently. It has really made a difference, the girls are all glossy and lovely and there is less of a poo issue with Garvo - easier to clean up! They also eat less of it because it is better quality and so the cost balances out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 Most of the soya produced is now GM, that makes non GM much more expensive so unless a feed is guaranteed as no GM there is a high chance it will contain some Also GM soya, maize etc... feed many animals that produce our beef, lamb and pork anyway Organic feeds are allowed to contain up to 5% 'residue' so may not be 100% organic Mills that produce various feeds cannot guarantee that no cross contamination can take place Each to their own, its about making informed decisions I will stick to Garvo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted April 29, 2011 Author Share Posted April 29, 2011 Most of the soya produced is now GM, that makes non GM much more expensive so unless a feed is guaranteed as no GM there is a high chance it will contain some Also GM soya, maize etc... feed many animals that produce our beef, lamb and pork anyway Organic feeds are allowed to contain up to 5% 'residue' so may not be 100% organic Mills that produce various feeds cannot guarantee that no cross contamination can take place Each to their own, its about making informed decisions I will stick to Garvo At least with Organic you have a better chance of more of the product being chemical free. Also they claim no GM products and mills that do not produce various feeds so no contamination.So yes I agree its about making infomed decisions.I will stick with Organic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
