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

[wannabe smallholder]

Hi. I'm probably asking a question others have asked before so I apologies in advance. But I'm wondering which brand of layers pellets you all use and what people recommend? How much difference can it make to health of birds and quality or taste of eggs? And also do the hens get bored of the same brand? Does anyone swap their pellets from time to time? Thanks xxx

[Redwing]

Good brands and ones that I would use quite happily for the majority of my birds - Marriages, Smallholder, Dodson and Horrell, Garvo and Fancy Feed

 

My personal favourite is Garvo

 

own' brands from your local mill or feed merchants are usually ok too, so Countrywide and Heygates for example

 

Cheaper foods do tend to contain more bulk filler though so this results in more poo and its usually smellier too

 

There is only one poultry feed that I refuse point blank to feed as I deem it to be terrible quality, I darent mention it by name as the company take exception to public complaints

[wannabe smallholder]

Thanks Redwing. I saw a thread on here the other day about Garvo and found a nearby supplier today. Do you sawp around much, just for a change or if you see an offer for example or is it upsetting for the hens to change pellet type?

[angeluk69]

I use Dodson and horrell, mainly as they are only 3 miles away from me, my girls all love it.

[merlina]

I use Allen and Page organic

Don't have a lot to compare them to as that's what I've mostly used from the beginning (would be interested in other people's thoughts too)

I have used other odds and ends - just for variety (not that I think hens necessarily need it, but don't want them to turn their beaks up at anything but one brand)

Haven't really noticed a difference in eggs or anything else when they eat their usual or something else

[poppers77]

We use 'the organic feed company's products mixed with bolshoi bran. I also use life long layer. All with good results. I have never used anything else.

[cluckingmad]

We use Dodson and Horrell, but use Marriages layers pellets plus flubenvet for worming x

[kissinuk]

Organic feed company, costs a couple of pounds more but at the end of the day it produces organic eggs (assuming you don't use pesticides in your garden).

[ohcarolina]

We use Dodson and Horrell, but use Marriages layers pellets plus flubenvet for worming x

 

Me too - I like the fact its GM free (can't quite afford Organic) and I can get it locally which helps as I work F/T and commute. My local feed place only does their own (cheapo) brand.

[wannabe smallholder]

Thanks for replies everyone. Now i have a few brands to look for, and price up and source. Xxx

[Redwing]

Organic feed company, costs a couple of pounds more but at the end of the day it produces organic eggs (assuming you don't use pesticides in your garden).

 

I see your logic but to sell eggs as organic you need to have organic certified land which I think involves being able to prove land purity for so many years.

[sjp]

your hens need to be from a certified organic stock as well from what a head gardener with the National Trust told me He had to get theirs from somewere in the South West region

[kissinuk]

Organic feed company, costs a couple of pounds more but at the end of the day it produces organic eggs (assuming you don't use pesticides in your garden).

 

I see your logic but to sell eggs as organic you need to have organic certified land which I think involves being able to prove land purity for so many years.

 

Lol, I dont think food labelling laws apply to eggs from my own chickens that only we eat! As far as I'm concerned they're as organic as supermarket eggs - organic pellets, organically run garden and organically raised chooks!

Edited June 26, 2012 by Guest

[amys garden]

Hello every one!

Well I've had my girls for as much time as its taken them to get through three bags of feed

First we had Farmgate layers pellets ; that's what they had at the lovely martins wood farm were we bought them

Then I bought a small bag of Fancy Feed

And now there eating I think it's called Wrens' which I bought from a

Tack shop here on Lewes

And I have to say I'm not impressed!

Their poo has become really smelly and they don't look as round and fluffy so I'm going to change brand as soon as this bag has run out!

Its really helpfully to read your post Redwing