auntielizzie Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 When I first got Betty and Bessie I brought Organic Feed Company layers pellets; they didn't seem too impressed by them, so when that ran out I brought them Smallholders Range layers pellets; again, they were not too excited. Two weeks ago I decided to try Garvo (as I can now buy it locally to me) and they absolutely love it. It is a little bit more expensive, but there is no waste whatsoever. The eat every bit of it every day. Only problem is, they are looking a little bit fat now - especially Bessie (Rhode Sussex), who has developed very big thighs I'm not sure how you can tell if a chicken is getting too podgy - maybe they won't lay so well? I will see how they go and if I have any problems, I suppose I can reduce the rations a bit if necessary. They don't get so many treats these days, apart from regular cabbage leaves from my veg patch and occasional grapes. Thought some might find this of interest as I am sure I have seen other posts with chickens not eating their pellets - it is nice to see them tucking in so enthusiastically and enjoying their food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennym Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Hi auntielizzie, I brought Organic Feed Company layers pellets; they didn't seem too impressed by them, so when that ran out I brought them Smallholders Range layers pellets; again, they were not too excited Can I ask how you know they didn't like them? Just curious - not sure I'd know! Mine have free access to layers pellets all day, as much as they want, and they seem to eat what they need. By the end of the day their crops are full, and they are empty in the mornings, which I think is how it should be. If all they get is layers pellets or layers mash, I wouldn't have thought they'd get fat. I think high-carb treats can put weight on them - like sweetcorn & grapes. My understanding is that if they get fatter they don't lay as much, but I've not experienced this. Maybe I'm lucky & don't have greedy chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 If your hens are hybrids its very unlikely that they would get overweight, they just arent designed to be like that Extra condition on them at this time of year should mean they come through the winter better so isnt a bad thing but I wouldnt have thought they'd have got fat just on Garvo layers pellets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 My hens fr all day and always have loads of food for them including treats of corn and meal worms at night . A breeder came round to drop some eggs of for my broody and a cochin pullet and when i showed him mop as i thought she was looking a bit thin after being broody he said she was fine i then asked him to have a peek at a girl i think was a good size and he said she was a bit porkey so now they only are going to have a treat of corn at weekend . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Yes, cut back on any treats and they'll be an ideal weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auntielizzie Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 Can I ask how you know they didn't like them? Just curious - not sure I'd know! Hi Jennym - I could tell they weren't too enthusiastic as when I filled up their grubs in the morning, they would come charging over only to look at it and walk away looking a bit disappointed When I fill up their grub now, they can't wait to get tucked in Also, at the end of the day the grub is now empty, whereas before there was always quite a bit of food left in it. I topped it up each day and then at the weekend emptied it in case the food at the bottom was stale. Now, I don't waste any at all. Also, they are not pacing around begging for food constantly like before so don't "need as many extra treats" and I don't feel guilty about not giving them any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Glad they like it Liz JennyM - switch to Garvo and you will know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennym Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 JennyM - switch to Garvo and you will know I will keep that in mind, sounds interesting! I've heard others say that Garvo was very good. But mine quite like (as far as I can tell!) the reasonably priced stuff that we can get easily just up the road, so I think I'll stick with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi-Hi Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Yes, cut back on any treats and they'll be an ideal weight. Maybe I should try that on myself No joke, Garvo is wonderful stuff, and the effect on their poos are great too. Only problem is, it seems there is a supply shortage at the moment as I've been waiting three weeks now for a delivery to come in to Rokers in Guildford. I'm on my last quarter of a bag and really don't want to swap to something else for the time being Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I am just coming the end of a bag of Fancy Feed and still feed my chickens growers pellets as only 2 of the 4 are laying. My local Dobbies have Garvo Growers in stock but it seems to cost almost 50% more than I pay for Fancy Feed Is it really that good to justify the difference in cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Mrs Chicken Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I was considering changing to Garvo,there a stockist nearish me.I looked online to find the ingredient list on the layers pellets and was put off because it contains GM soya,but i don't know if this is bad for them or us eating the eggs or perfectly safe does anyone know more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I switched from Garvo to Marriages as was fed up spending a fortune, £62.00 for 4 sacks each month But am doing a round trip of 80 miles on Saturday to Dobbies in Asford to buy more Garvo. Nothing compares to it as far as I am concerned, their poo is smelly and loose and they really havent enjoyed an other pelletts so am switching back. And during the winter months will get Jim Vyse to deliver. expensive but great service. Planning on going to sea side afterwards as seems the sun may actually shine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I switched from Garvo to Marriages as was fed up spending a fortune,£62.00 for 4 sacks each month :( But am doing a round trip of 80 miles on Saturday to Dobbies in Asford to buy more Garvo. Nothing compares to it as far as I am concerned, their poo is smelly and loose and they really havent enjoyed an other pelletts so am switching back. And during the winter months will get Jim Vyse to deliver. expensive but great service. Planning on going to sea side afterwards as seems the sun may actually shine :clap: I have just bought bokashi to improve their poo so may see how they get on with that for now and reconsider Garvo once they all start to lay. Have a lovely time at the seaside. Me , I think so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfin Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I was considering changing to Garvo,there a stockist nearish me.I looked online to find the ingredient list on the layers pellets and was put off because it contains GM soya,but i don't know if this is bad for them or us eating the eggs or perfectly safe does anyone know more? IMHO there is a lot ot hype and ill informed trash talked about regarding GM produce. As far as I am concerned GM is a fast track to what plant breeders have been trying to do for centuries. Plant breeders try to introduce characteristics to a crop that will make it more resistant to disease and virus etc. In the case of wheat the stem length has been reduced by over half it's length during my lifetime and the weight of the 'ears' has significantly increased. This as far as I know has been done without GM but the process is the same. Selective breeding to produce a more viable crop. I have used Garvo since I got my girls in March of this year, they absolutely love it. Have I grown an extra ear or be covered in boils..................No. I don't give a jot that there is a minor GM content and will continue to feed this excellant product to my birds. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennym Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Have to say I'm with Surfin on the GM foods. It's been around a long time now and I suspect it's near impossible to avoid, unless you make everything you eat & drink from scratch from home-grown or guaranteed non-GM ingredients. I love nice, good quality food made from fresh ingredients but I'm not terribly concerned about GM content. I'm far more concerned about high levels of salt, sugar etc in pre-prepared food - those are health risks with convincing evidence to back them up. In any case once your chickens eat the small amount of GM soya in the feed, then it's processed and turned into lovely eggs, I would think there would be very little left to be concerned about. Just my opinion of course, and I know others feel pretty strongly the other way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Garvo wont be the only feed that contains GM soya, its very hard to avoid as already said above Its just that they are more upfront about it than others I think its a great food, for me the difference between Garvo and a very basic layers pellets is about £2 so not a huge difference in the great scheme of things. Garvo is cheaper than other brands in my local area - Marriages and Farmgate are both more expensive Supply problems are not usually supply problems (if that makes sense) Garvo require a minimum order so suppliers tend to hang back from ordering until their order is big enough to qualify for a certain price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
