Unsecure chicken perches

[FatJasper]

I have just noticed that the large sack of food my hubby bought last week is starter crumb and not layer's mash. Our girls are 9 months old so should def be on layers (like normal). Do I continue feeding the crumb to use it up or should I bin it? Egg production has dropped slightly (3 eggs a day down to 2, all hybrids) but that could just be the time of year. Don't want them to get fat though if starter crumb is high cal.

 

Any views please?

[jimnpaula]

I would suggest getting some layers mash and mixing the two.

You're right in saying that they should be on layers so that they get the correct nutrients, but I would think that some extra protein and fat shouldn't hurt them this time of year.

Mine are currently on a mix of cockeral pellets and layers pellets to give them extra protein during the moult.

 

P

[sjp]

as said get a sack of layers and mix the two. egg numbers as you have said is more than likly down as the day light levels are realy low at the moment. if you don't already put a pot of mixed grit out then I'd get some of that to as the start crumb won't have much calcium in it

[Redwing]

Its not the end of the world, in winter it does them good to have some extra protein and they wont get overweight on one sack of crumb

 

Egg production will drop but a bit of a rest will do them no harm at all

[miller30]

All my ducks and chickens are currently eating the rest of the sack of my turkey finisher pellets now my stag is in the fridge i never throw any food away it just gets mixed leanne

[The Dogmother]

I wouldn't worry, I move mine off layers feed in the winter when they stop laying.

[Purplemaniacs]

I wouldn't worry, I move mine off layers feed in the winter when they stop laying.

DM do you feed them growers when they aren't laying?

 

Thanks

 

Chrissie

[The Dogmother]

Yup, growers or chick crumb (non-medicated of course).

[Forestchook]

Mine are currently on a mix of cockeral pellets and layers pellets to give them extra protein during the moult.

 

What? Cockerel pellets? I didn't know there was such a thing. What have I missed?

 

N

[sjp]

Mine are currently on a mix of cockeral pellets and layers pellets to give them extra protein during the moult.

 

What? Cockerel pellets? I didn't know there was such a thing. What have I missed?

 

N

there a specially formulated growers pellet that a few feed companies make to build up young cockerels to make them stronger for breeding but they are also good for fattening up 'spares' for the pot both Garvo and Matador make differant grower ratios for young cockerels and young hens Marrage's makes Cockerel Fattener Pellets for fattening up 'spares'

[jimnpaula]

Mine are currently on a mix of cockeral pellets and layers pellets to give them extra protein during the moult.

 

What? Cockerel pellets? I didn't know there was such a thing. What have I missed?

 

N

there a specially formulated growers pellet that a few feed companies make to build up young cockerels to make them stronger for breeding but they are also good for fattening up 'spares' for the pot both Garvo and Matador make differant grower ratios for young cockerels and young hens Marrage's makes Cockerel Fattener Pellets for fattening up 'spares'

 

Yup, Garvo 'fancy cockeral' pellets. Garvo are good at making you buy mixed pallets of their food (I've looked into it) and clearly Dobbies garden centres are no exception! I decided to buy the bags as they were only £5 as they had a short sell by date on them, and figured the girls could do with the extra protein this time of year.

 

P

[Forestchook]

Ahh, okay. Thank you.

N