Guest Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 we went to buy our aubiose today, got 2 massive bales for £8.75 each from Gibsons in Kingsley, massive animal feed and supply place not too far from us. While we were there we thought we'd buy a little bag of layers pellets as I'd read they're less messy than the mash that ex batts have to be fed when you first get them. Ours have been getting used to more solid food over the last few weeks (in addition to their mash) so we thought now was maybe the time to try them with some pellets. We thought about mixing them in with some of their mash but DH suggested we fool them! We put the pellets in their treat cups (some coop cups we use to give them their treats in) and they dove straight in, then looked a bit confused as they were obviously expecting something a bit tastier but when we went back out later, the coop cups were empty! So, we'll keep doing that until we are sure they will eat them and then gradually add them to the mash and use less mash more pellets each time. Does that sound like a plan? I'm not entirely sure why we are doing this but I s'pose the pellets are less messy and the chooks don't have to work as hard to eat as much so will get more goodness into them quicker. DH is chuffed with the aubiose as he says it's much softer and finer than the hemcore (which we've been using in the inside run/coop till now). He's re-jigging the outside run over the weekend, making it taller and replacing the bark with the aubiose (weather permitting) so will post some before and after photos if I get chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 That does sound a good plan, Poet. I gradually changed from mash to pellets to avoid food spillage and started by replacing mixed corn treats & had the same reaction, the look on their faces! Lovely to hear how the hens are progressing. It'll be great to see some run pics if you get the chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I find that Aubiose is much finer than Hemcore too. I might go back to using the former - it's not so sharp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I find that Aubiose is much finer than Hemcore too. I might go back to using the former - it's not so sharp. Very true - it hurts a lot when it digs into your feet!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Hemcore sure is sharp... my daughter is in charge of her chooks (under supervision obviously), and I kept getting annoyed with her for not replacing the hemcore in the nesting box everyday, till I went to do it one day and grabbed some with my hands and just went 'ouch'... I gave her a metal mini shovel now to s"Ooops, word censored!"e the stuff around and scoop it with... Claret, if you don't mind me asking, where do you get your aubiose from? We're in Oxford, and I can find hemcore, but haven't been able to find aubiose... Sorry for hijacking your thread, Poet, but everybody seems happier with aubiose than hemcore, so would love to get some for the chooks... Great to hear how well your girls are doing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I'm not entirely sure why we are doing this but I s'pose the pellets are less messy and the chooks don't have to work as hard to eat as much so will get more goodness into them quicker. I've heard that having them on mash is good as it keeps them occupied for longer and they have less time to peck each other, might be something to watch out for. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Ziggy, I get mine from Bodicote Farm Shop in Banbury, it's just off the A4260 near the Renault garage is you come into Banbers from Oxford. They stock both and also Allen & Page organic feed. let me know if you're comign up and you can drop in for a cuppa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 no problem ziggy, you're not hijacking at all. We've tried both now so can call ourselves authorities on the subject! (just kidding) I'm not entirely sure why we are doing this but I s'pose the pellets are less messy and the chooks don't have to work as hard to eat as much so will get more goodness into them quicker. I've heard that having them on mash is good as it keeps them occupied for longer and they have less time to peck each other, might be something to watch out for. Jo will do Jo, thanks for the heads up x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
