monstermunch Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 This sounds like a really stupid question but I was reading something the other day that said about ex batt crumbs/pellets being transitional... I had my first girls in September and 2 more yesterday (!) and it's never occurred to me that they might need to be put onto a different feed eventually. So my question is, is the ex-batt range suitable for life or do I need to put them onto something else, and if so when should this be? On another note, the 2 newbies seem to be settling in ok and no big fights between them as yet (last time I'd been reduced to tears about 5 times by now thinking they were going to kill each other!), my 'old' girls are not too impressed at the moment and Ginger - the softest most docile thing in the world, is making me laugh by running up and down the garden screeching - she looks just like a child throwing a tantrum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 We feed all our hens on ex-batt crumb all the time and have done since it first came on the market. No ill effects here, in fact they thrive on it. Most of our lot are ex-batts of varying ages but we also have an elderly pepperpot and a couple of youngsters of only about a year and they all get the same. Because we take at least a couple of parties of ex-batts each year it's easier for us for everyone to stay on the crumb style food all the time, however, some people prefer the pellet variety for less mess. As well as being a good quality feed it also helps the BHWT so we are happy to feed it to our lot all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I feed all my girls on ex-bat pellets, whether they are ex-bats or not. The new ex-bats move on to it gradually but it only takes a week or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 There's no right or wrong, if your older girls are still happily eating the crumb there is no reason for you to change it. We change ours to ex batt pellets because we have found there seems to be more waste with the crumbs but others prefer to feed the crumbs because it takes longer for the girls to eat it and keeps them busy. Congratulations on your new girls by the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Yes you can keep your hens on the ex batt crumb/pellets indefinitely if you want to. It think it's a very good feed and is also beneficial for older/moulting hens as well as ex batts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermunch Posted December 29, 2011 Author Share Posted December 29, 2011 Thanks all, that's reassuring! I feed the older ones the pellets as like majuka I find the crumbs tend to be quite messy, but the new girls will be on them for the first few weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubababe Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 So is Ex-batt feed a better feed your my non-ex batt chooks? I currently use Dodson & Horrell layers pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
