3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[nannyhenny]

I've been given a free bag of Smallholder ex-bat crumbs. Can I use these for my (almost) free range Omlet girls? What about mixed in with their usual layers mash? Seems a shame to waste it!

[Lavenders_Blue]

Yes, absolutely! It will be fine to give to your girls and they will probably think it's a real treat to have crumb instead of pellets

[Lavenders_Blue]

Apologies! Have just re-read and notice you feed mash, not pellets. Your girls will be more than happy to eat the crumb either way, I am sure.

[The Dogmother]

Just a tip; you might want to 'cut' it with your regular feed. I am sure that they might have changed the formulation but when it first came out people found that feeding it on its own led to a few soft-shelled eggs, but that cutting it in with your regular feed was fine

[jrsankanu]

i've found that hens love the change i have layers pellets down and ex bats in a separate bowl due to just getting an ex bat . they all share the crumb / mash seems to make a lot more mess though they throw it around whilst eating it then tip the bowls. (they run to the back door in the morning for food !

i used ex bat food whilst 1 was ill due to swallowing elastic band when first put outside. vet said would have more vitamins stuff in it due to her loosing weight so its worth keeping some to hand

[The Dogmother]

Yes, if you're feeding mash it's best in a hanging gravity feeder or they will stand in it and rake it all over the place. I like to vary the texture mine have and will sometimes feed mash rather than pellets just to ring the changes and keep them interested.

 

At the end of the day if you're feeding a good quality feed then they will be fine.

[nannyhenny]

Thanks. everyone. I'll mix it in with the mash and I'm sure it'll go down well! My hens won't touch pellets - they don't seem to recognise it as food at all - but will eat crumbs as well as mash. I did try to get them onto pellets as it makes worming so much easier but gave up in the end. We don't get much mess, though, as my husband has modified a feed trough to stop them tipping it over or digging in it and it seems to work very well. Anyway, glad the free crumbs won't be wasted!