Stoat killed hens asleep in the Eglu

[Guest]

please help me, my head is about to explode!

 

We are rehoming 3 battery hens in a few weeks via the BHWT, I've ordered our run and feeders but the BHWT said to feed the chickens on layers mash. I would prefer to feed them organic layers mash but the approx cost of a 20kg bag (including P&P) seems to be about £17 or so. I imagine, for 3 chickens, that will last about 2 months, is that right? I read somewhere that each hen will need about 1kg of mash a week, is that right?

 

The non organic stuff seems about 1/2 that price.

 

I need some advice, should I get organic or non organic and if you think organic is the way to go, can I get it cheaper than that? I've been googling all day and I'm worn out!

 

I worry about chemicals and things in the non organic...

[The Dogmother]

It's all really down to personal choice. I use the organic layers pellets by Allen & Page as supplied by Omlet and other outlets. They also manufacture organic mash. Organic feed is always more expensive - but then I figure that you get what you pay for.

 

Ex-batteries will be used to getting mash to eat, but you could gradually phase them onto pellets if you find them easier.

[Guest]

i don't know if pellets are easier or not- this will be our first time as chicken owners- which is why my head is about to explode I suppose!

[The Dogmother]

Again it's all personal preference (not much help I know) - some people find that their hens flick the mash all over the place and make a mess. I have 10 hens, so I have a galvanised feed trough with a lip on the sides to stop them doing that.

 

You might want to read through the stickies on the forum to get some general info about chook keeping - they're very helpful.

[Guest]

i will browse the stickies when get chance, like I say i've been googling all day and am thoroughly sick of the PC at this point so just thought someone on here could help me as I'm imagining there will be somone out there with the knowledge.

 

I'm going for a lie down for a while, I hate computers!

 

Will check back later, hope someone can help me, cheers in advance.

 

[xScrunchee]

Hi ya,

I was feeding my girls organic layers pellets but have now gone to non-organic simply because it was far easier for me to find someone to deliver the non-organic ones.

I have asked everyone who eats the eggs if they have noticed any difference since the change of food and they say that they haven't.

The non-organic ones are far cheaper but it was not that made me change.

 

I think that in my situation it makes very little difference if they have organic or not-they get treats of fresh veg most days, left overs from our dinners etc and none of that is organic so I doubt it's worth me paying more, having trouble getting it delivered and stuff just to give them organic pellets when everything else they eat is not but that's just how I see it.

 

As for Mash or pellets I agree that it comes down to personal preference again. Mine were already eating pellets so that is what I stuck with but I have heard that mash, even though it is messier, can keep them more occupied whilst eating.

 

It may all seem a bit daunting at the mo but you will soon discover that keeping hens is so rewarding and you won't regret it!

 

Good on you for getting ex batts by the way

[The Dogmother]

I know what you mean about the PC Poet!

 

I don't think you'll get a definitive answer though - it's all down to choice and what people prefer.

 

Here's the link to the products stocked by Omlet. They are very helpful and will help you out with suppliers if you give them a ring.

[Christian]

Whereabouts are you Poet? Most horsey type shops sell/will get pellets or mash for you.

 

I agree with Xscrunchee's comments on organic etc. I always gave the girls organic, but then thought that the treats weren't. How use Small Holder layers pellets and they love them, Esp when mixed with hot water for an afternnon treat.

 

A 20kg bag of pellets lasts me at least 3 months!

Edited September 26, 2007 by Guest

[Guest]

okay, think we'll get a 20kg bag or organic mash/meal (they are the same aren't they?) and take it from there.

 

We mostly eat organic food, or try to, so I want our eggs to have come from organically fed chickens.

 

BH hens can't eat pellets as they're used to mash and they have had their beaks mutilated. We might switch to pellets if/when the birds are healthy enough.

 

They'll also get nice treats from the kitchen too.

 

Wish us luck, or should that be cluck!?

[xScrunchee]

Good cluck!!

[Christian]

Good Cluck!

 

When the girls have settled in and are back to feathery chickens again, try adding some pellets to the mash/meal. Gradually increase the amount of pellets you give and eventually you can stop feeding the mash.

 

I know some people that hate the mess that mash makes but i guess it all depends on how messy your girls are!

 

All the best.

[Guest]

cheers all, one more thing- what feeders are the best? we were thinking of getting trough type arrangements to fit to the side of the run so the girls can't kick them over and we can unhook them at night and keep them in the garden shed away from vermin etc.

 

is this the best idea do you think?

[Karen & co.]

Good Cluck!

 

When the girls have settled in and are back to feathery chickens again, try adding some pellets to the mash/meal. Gradually increase the amount of pellets you give and eventually you can stop feeding the mash.

 

I know some people that hate the mess that mash makes but i guess it all depends on how messy your girls are!

 

All the best.

 

That's just what I did with my rescue girls I used the mash as a sort of comfort food, as their life had changed beyond measure anyway, and I hoped it was a little less stressful to be able to eat the same food

 

karen x

[The Dogmother]

I've got Eltex galvanised troughs so they can't tip the food out. It just sits in the run, under the shower curtain cover so it doesn't get wet. they love it and can all get a go at the food.

[Guest]

i've just bought some that hang on the wire.

 

I've been wondering, as it's called "mash" does it mean it has to be fed moist, do you need to mix it with water or is it fed dry? I hope there's instructions on the bag!

[The Dogmother]

It's normally fed dry, but you can mix it into a porridge if you want. I sometimes do that with the pellets and add all sorts of goodies like olive oil, oats, raisins, tuna, sweetcorn...

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I've only had my girls just over 2 weeks but I give them non-organic pellets (easy to get from a local horsey supplier) in the grub. They don't seem to ever spill any so no problem with vermin and it stays dry (I also have the summer cover on all the time) so I don't remove the grub, just fill it up each morning. I give them their "tea" in a dog bowl to get them back in the run after free ranging - pasta, tuna, sweetcorn, raisins, mealworms etc etc!

 

It is hard to know what to do for the best - there's so much advice out there. Whatever you choose to do will be better than their former life so don't worry!

 

Good luck - hope they recover quickly!

[xScrunchee]

It is hard to know what to do for the best - there's so much advice out there. Whatever you choose to do will be better than their former life so don't worry!

 

Good luck - hope they recover quickly!

 

 

Very, very true!!

[Guest]

thanks guys

 

xxx

[AmandaR]

Good luck with your lovely new chooks! You sound like a fab chook mummy to be.

I started my chickens on organic pellets as supplied by Omlet but like others, have switched to non-organic. The reasons are similar in that I have found it easier to source non-organic pellets, the treats I give them are not always organic and also (and the main swaying point is) because my chooks free range for most of the day, every day...I can't guarantee that all the slugs, snails, woodlice etc that they eat are organic too Based on that, it felt a tad silly to spend so much time and money on organic chicken food when the eggs wouldn't really be 100% organic. IYSWIM.

I have tried mash and still have nearly a full bag left over as my chooks didn't get along with it. I have given it too them dry and mixed with water but they would s"Ooops, word censored!"e it out of the grub onto the floor and then ignore it , I felt that it was far more wasteful than pellets. But like you have mentioned, if your rescue hens are used to mash then it may be the best route to go down. Mark my words, they will soon 'train' you into their likes and dislikes

[Laura & CTB]

I've been wondering, as it's called "mash" does it mean it has to be fed moist, do you need to mix it with water or is it fed dry? I hope there's instructions on the bag!

 

Hi Poet,

 

Mash is usually fed as a dry powder (which is why they can throw it everywhere). I keep a plastic cat litter tray under the feeder which catches most of the cast off

You can also mix mash with water to make a porridge- I do this sometimes and mix in a few raisins / sunflower seeds etc as a treat before bedtime.

[Tina C]

I feed mash and like Laura I use litter trays under the bowls. There does seem to be a lot of waste but perhaps I give them too much.

 

My girls also have pellets in the omlet feeders but they prefer the mash.

 

I feed them organic (Allen & Page) - but it has to be ordered in and I have to give 2-3 weeks notice. I have had to buy non-organic sometimes when I forget to place an order - the girls don't seem to worry about the difference but I prefer it if they get organic food.

[The Dogmother]

I feed them organic (Allen & Page) - but it has to be ordered in and I have to give 2-3 weeks notice.

 

That's odd because Allen and Page aren't too far from you, near Thetford.

[JellyB]

I get layers pellets from here

 

http://www.gjwtitmussshop.co.uk/acatalog/ALLEN_AND_PAGE_SMALL_HOLDER_POULTRY_DIETS.html

 

my ex-batts are happy eating them but luckily they haven't had their beaks mutilated. I also get a bag of the super mixed corn to give as a bit of a treat. If you order online they only take a couple of days to deliver. I