Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[auntielizzie]

I just have a couple of quesions about mash which I would be grateful for answers on:

 

Does mash go off if you put too much of it in the feeders?

Does mash contain any grit/oystershell or do I need to continue to add it separately?

 

I have been buying Garvo mash (growers at the moment)

 

Thank you for any help.

[Redwing]

Garvo Scratcher mash contains grit, I dont think the other ones do so its worth getting some grit

 

Any feed will go sour if it gets damp and mash is more likely to get damp and clump. If your feeder is well sheltered you should be ok but if in doubt only add enough to the feeder for a couple of days at a time

[Chortle Chook]

I don't know if you have a Grub, but I take mine in each night and each morning before I put my chickens' food out, I tilt my Grub to one side so the old mash goes to the right hand 'bowl' and mix in a couple of tbls of Garvo treats, then I add about half an Omlet shovel full of fresh mash to the empty lefthand 'bowl' without any treats). This seems to work since the chooks are so competitve and greedy for treats that they all try and stick their heads into the right side when I put it down and gobble it up, only turning to the new lefthand side later in the day. If it gets wet however I do empty it all out.

[Cheeky Chooky]

I have 3 Grub feeders and one hanging feeder; they're always left in the run (although the run is covered) and I've never had any problems with dampness in the mash. I also throw chick grit on the run floor for the girls

[LunaKiw1]

We have a hanging feeder and fill it each day with fresh mash sufficient to last 3 chooks all day. We bring it in for nighttime and any mash (dust consistency by end of the day) we mix with a bit of water in a bowl and put out in the morning alongside the re-filled feeder. They will eat up both the wet and dry mash thus there's no wasatage!

[Chortle Chook]

Sounds rather a good idea to mix the old dry mash with a bit of water and to present it to the chooks in the morning. Mine always rush out of their house for a feed first thing so I might present them with that and only put out the fresh a bit later in the day. Is this what other people do?

[Lavenders_Blue]

I just fill a couple of hanging feeders with mash and leave them out until they are empty - takes a few days. I feel very lazy by comparison to you lot!

[LunaKiw1]

They like having them both at same time. Bluebell always goes for the hanging fresh mash; Daisy gors first for the 'wet' mash and Goldie (top chook) races between the two as she can't decide which is best and can't bear to think she's not getting whichever is best! Really funny to watch.