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

[Mrs_B]

I am a bit confused at the moment with my Lavender Orpington feed because I have ended up reading too much online and am now thinking the plan I had for them is all wrong!

 

I brought my girls home when they were 9 weeks and they've been on Garvo Growers pellets which I bought from the poultry farm at the same time as I wanted to keep them on the same food they had been fed on.

 

My original plan was to feed them on Growers until they are around 25-27 weeks and by which time the feed bag is running low and would then start mixing Layers into the feed. BUT as they haven't started laying this year, and it'll probably be spring until they do, I am worried giving them Layers will harm them in some way.

 

Can someone tell me if giving them Layers is bad? And if so, I am struggling to find any local supplier (even my usual online suppliers) that sells Garvo Growers feed. Does anyone have any supplier that they'd recommend?

 

Thank you!! I've ended up getting qiute frustrated about all of this because so many people have different opinions on the subject and I am worried I would harm the birds

 

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[sjp]

try here http://www.ponderosa-birds.co.uk/index.cfm they used to sell Garvo but I don't know if they sell growers but if they are 20+ weeks old then moving them onto layers won't harm them as it's designed for bird from about 16 weeks old. the only other Garvo stockist I know of your way if Newland Grange http://www.newlandgrange.com/ other than that it Sturman's but they are in the West Midlands but I know they've got growers in stock from 3 different feed companies including Garvo http://www.sturmanscornandseed.co.uk/

[Plum]

I found my orp was 30 weeks before she lay. I keep mine on growers until they crouch. It doesn't have to be garvo.

 

At 25 weeks they'll be fine on layers it won't harm them

[Chickabee]

The when to feed them what is really difficult. I too thought I had it Sussed but after reading many different threads

I'm no longer sure. If they were mine I would put them on layers. Fancy feed is very good if you can't find garvo

[Chickabee]

Just found garvo on amazon.

[good_egg]

Dobbies garden centres have it or if you want online I use flyte so fancy for alfamix as Dobbies don't stock... I bought garvo growers from them though... I kept the current girls on growers til the first one laid, think even Connie and Annette were 28 or so weeks by then... I would guess by that age it's ok either way, but I know some folk on here feed growers in winter anyway which I was debating doing....

[Mrs_B]

Thank you so much, everyone! You've put my mind at ease, so I have opted to keep to the plan with switching the Lavenders to layers pellets.

 

I said Garvo growers before because I wanted them to stick with what food they've always been on, to save any 'issues' with fussy little ladies I do buy Marriages Organic feed for the bigger girls and that has gone down well!

 

Newland Poultry was where all my hens were bought from - it's a fab place and the lady who runs it is really lovely.

 

Thanks again, all!!

 

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