Another feeding question

[MaureenHall]

Now that I've got my Bluebelle cockerel for my Bluebelle girls, and hope to get some Bluebelle chicks at some time in the future, what's other breeders' opinion on using Breeders pellets?

[Flummery]

I know from reading around that a lot of people's cockerals eat the layers pellets that the chickens eat. I don't know if it's ideal but it doesn't seem to do them any harm (or make them change sex or anything!)

[MaureenHall]

I was thinking about the feed from the girls point of view really (as well as giving himself the best start). Will it help any with fertility?

[RichmondHens]

My cocks have the layers pellets same as the hens, and it doesn't seem to reduce their fertility in any way.

In Practical Poultry magazine there is a lady called Marianne Oliver who writes for the mag regularly and I remember an article about how at certain stages of the moon the chickens are supposed to be more fertile than at others. I think at this time of year though, when daylight hours are longer, fertility will be high in all young birds.

[Snadger]

Are breeders pellets the same as 'growers' pellets Maureen? If so, my chicks are on these!

They have a higher protein level methinks. If you are just wanting to breed the chooks and hatch the eggs I would use them............but.....if you are wanting to eat the eggs I wouldn't use them as I believe they taint the eggs (something to do with the fish meal used to give the extra protein?)

[MaureenHall]

Well I've done a bit of "looking around" and the Smallholder range has layers, growers and breeders pellets. I think I'll keep them all on layers if the other stuff is going to make the eggs taste fishy! I've got the babies and Basil on Growers (cos they're not laying eggs )