Chortle Chook Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 (edited) I've been using Garvo chicken treats and my chooks really love them. I put two table spoons in with their Garvo pellets each morning. However the place I get my Garvo chicken pellets (Flyte so Fancy) does not do them. Does anybody use Nature's Grub pots of worm type treats and if so what do your chickens think? I'm doing an Omlet order and don't know whether to include them or not . Edited June 25, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I've used those pots of dried critters before and they go down very well indeed. I have heard (just a rumour so not sure if there's any truth behind it) that some Garvo stockists are dropping them due to constant price hikes and delivery/customer care problems. I hope it's not true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amys garden Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Hello Can I ask why you buy Garvo and not plain layers pellets? Is there a marked difference in your girls health or is it just a personal choice. I've considered organic as we've only 3 girls but there is rather a large price difference! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Mine seem to prefer and thrive on it although I do alternate between Garvo and Smallholder just to keep them on their toes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I have heard (just a rumour so not sure if there's any truth behind it) that some Garvo stockists are dropping them due to constant price hikes and delivery/customer care problems. I hope it's not true. I'm afraid it's is I heard rumour of another stockist today that has stopped stocking it I'd switch to another brand of layers but I don't like the egg quality from the brands I can get around my way I've already swapped the growers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I have heard (just a rumour so not sure if there's any truth behind it) that some Garvo stockists are dropping them due to constant price hikes and delivery/customer care problems. I hope it's not true. I'm afraid it's is I heard rumour of another stockist today that has stopped stocking it I'd switch to another brand of layers but I don't like the egg quality from the brands I can get around my way I've already swapped the growers I get mine from Rokers, and when I went to pay I got chatting with the man on the till. He said they get charged 2 pounds per bag for delivery ontop of what they usually pay. And he told me it had to come all the way from Holland. I hope it doesn't go up too much more because I also like the colour of the yolks and their poops don't seem half as bad as they used to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 My Garvo stockist never seems to have it in stock now and is very vague about when they might be getting any more. I think they were finding it hard to sell and are worried about getting stuck with large unsold quantities. It is a real shame, my girls have never looked healthier or their eggs better than when they were on Garvo. I just hope another local supplier will become a stockist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coppers Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I use Garvo and I agree that the chickens seem to do very well on it. I noticed a real difference in their condition after being changed over to Garvo, although they hadn't appeared out of condition previously (iyswim). Their feathers became glossier; poos firmer, less in amount and less smelly. The eggs are great even from my old girls. I would be very sad if I could no longer source it but, on a positive note, the place I get mine from (Middle Farm near Lewes in Sussex) seems to have bigger and bigger piles, of a variety of bags of Garvo products, every time I go there and they gave me the impression that they are buying in bigger amounts as they have realised how good it is. Fingers crossed that they will still stock it. We live just outside of Brighton by the way and would recommend Middle Farm for the Garvo and other chickeny bits. (I haven't bought any chickens from there though so cannot comment on those.) x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I have bought Nature's Grub before and they liked it but don't tend to buy things like that often. I use Garvo pellets and it does make a difference. Poo and eggs are better and they love it. I get it in Dobbies who seem to have a range of Garvo products. I hope they continue to stock it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 .... the place I get mine from (Middle Farm near Lewes in Sussex) seems to have bigger and bigger piles, of a variety of bags of Garvo products, every time I go there and they gave me the impression that they are buying in bigger amounts as they have realised how good it is. Part of the gripe I heard was that they could only order it in massive quantities, which obviously costs a lot and incurs massive delivery charges for them. As it's hauled so far quite a few bags get broken and then aren't replaced or refunded. Garvo could do well if they got their act together; they still have stands at trade shows but they no longer have any samples or stock, which is a big mistake as lots of other suppliers sell stock at special prices during poultry shows. I know that the prices of both fuel and grain have gone up but the price increases for Garvo don't seem to be reflected across the market for other brands of poultry feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coppers Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Yes I was aware about suppliers having to order huge amounts and that it came from abroad etc. I used to get my Garvo from a lady's actual house in Brighton but she had to stop getting it as she was struggling with it all. I didn't know about the problem with bags splitting though. I hope Middle Farm is a large and established enough business to manage the buying in bulk etc. I will probably be buying some Garvo this weekend so I will ask if they think they will be continuing to stock it and will see if prices have gone up. I agree, Garvo as a company could do very well indeed if the problems mentioned were sorted out as they supply excellent products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melbourne12 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Mine seem to prefer and thrive on it although I do alternate between Garvo and Smallholder just to keep them on their toes. We can't reliably get Garvo; the nearest suppliers are a long way away, and I'm not keen to pay mail order prices where the delivery charges nearly double the price. Allen & Page Smallholder pellets are nearly as good. We're currently using their breeders pellets, chick crumbs, and growers pellets, all of which are ordered in for us at a few days' notice. But it's a shame that Garvo won't set up a proper distribution system. We'd cheerfully pay the premium prices if there was a reliable local stockist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 There's a new range out that I am told is similar to Garvo and just as good... plus it's British!!!! I have phoned and asked them to send me some samples; they are new to poultry feed so it will be interesting to see what it's like. I will report back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dance in the dark Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 There's a new range out that I am told is similar to Garvo and just as good... plus it's British!!!! What make is that then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 It's called Gablestock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LottyJ1 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Does anybody use Nature's Grub pots of worm type treats and if so what do your chickens think? I have used the earth worm treats which mine love! I will get some more when I next do an order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 Nature's Grubb earth worm treats it'll be then Thanks everyone for your replies and an intersting debate about bad old Garvo I rather like Omlet's food which is provided through Marriages, I think, so getting Nature's Grubb too will mean I just have to order from one place which helps me. I only whish Omlet did duck and dove food too. Garvo do super dove food which I get from Newland Poultry. I've also just ordered some duck food from them but both were the last bags in stock and are also 20kg bags which is rather a lot for 2 wee doves and 2 wee call ducks to get through Omlet's 10kg bags are much better for me to store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amys garden Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 oooo Dogmother that sounds interesting I live near the aforementioned Middle Farm but don't drive There are two feed stockists in town but they don't stock garvo If there was a British good quality feed I'm sure wed all be happy to buy it After all who wants to buy veg with Air Miles? Aren't we keeping chickens so we have local fresh healthy eggs ? It kinda defeats the object if we're buying their feed from abroad? Any ideas? ( the feed I'm using has started giving them really smelly soft poos Think I'll be changeing brands... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superkitty Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 There's a new range out that I am told is similar to Garvo and just as good... plus it's British!!!! I have phoned and asked them to send me some samples; they are new to poultry feed so it will be interesting to see what it's like. I will report back. Oh do report back, I'd looked for garvo locally but couldn't find it so would be interested to see what you think...would like to buy British Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 There's a new range out that I am told is similar to Garvo and just as good... plus it's British!!!! I have phoned and asked them to send me some samples; they are new to poultry feed so it will be interesting to see what it's like. I will report back. Gablestock have been going for some years, a friend moved her chooks off gablestock and on to Garvo some years ago My feed supplier has recently stopped dealing with Garvo and started stocking Fancy Feed but has bought the Gablestock mash in as the nearest type of chunky mash to Garvo Gablestock do a good range if poultry feedand it seems nice quality clean smelling feed but I do think that any feed business that is primary agricultural won't have the sheer number of trace ingredients and attention to detail when it comes to poultry that Garvo has but then I am looking for show condition in my birds so I am particularly fussy! I have moved some of my birds over to Fancy Feed and am using the Gablestock mash for others but I will travel to get Garvo for the show birds and growers as I honestly believe that there isn't a good alternative at present Sorry CC your thread has been hijacked - in answer to your original question those pots of seeds and grubs go down well here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I'm awaiting my samples of Gablestock and will report back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted June 25, 2012 Author Share Posted June 25, 2012 I've editted the title of this so that others can pick up on the content more accurately . . . and await the feedback on Gablestock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 awaiting results too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 I know the wholesale price of Garvo and looking at the recommended retail price and the quantities that suppliers have to buy as a minimum order, I am amazed that anyone stocks it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Well, the samples arrived today; they have sent me the co"Ooops, word censored!" layers mash, which looks nice and chunky and smells great. The girls went mad for that The layers pellets, which turn out to be Farmgate aren't so well like though; they are quite a bit bigger than we're used to with Smallholders or Garvo and don't have that delicious smell. They do organic layers pellets too; while I'm not one to buy feed just because it's organic, I wonder what they are like, especially as they don't seem to be Farmgate labelled. There's a very wide range of other poultry feeds and grains. The price list they've given me is for trade only as they don't really sell poultry feed as an outlet straight to the public. They say that they can deliver a tonne for £39.90 + VAT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
