Chicken Feed

[icornish]

Chicken Feed

On the subject of Chicken Feed, we bought a bag of pellets from Scats when we got ours a few weeks ago... I just emptied it last night (Was a 5Kg bag, and we have 5 chooks)

Where do people buy their pellets from? I'm in Surrey, so any recommendation on good quality feeds at reasonable prices is appreciated.

Ian

[RichmondHens]

Today I have been out and chased away a pheasant and pigeons both taking feed from the main feeder in the big enclosure, and chosen to ignore robins and blackbirds feasting from the small tray of feed left out for the free rangers. We have watched rats come and go to all the feeders in broad daylight and have traps EVERYWHERE (sometimes successful, sometimes not) + use Eradibait for the rats (nothing more toxic as have several barn owls resident - the Barn Owl Trust recommends it). I only put out enough feed each day just to cover the hens' requirements and when it's gone it's gone. That way they will clear up any spilt if they are hungry enough. They get a small grain treat a couple of hours before roosting. They have a big feast when they are let out and then gradually clear up the residue during the course of the day (helped unfortunately by the wildlife). The feeders are taken in at the end of the day and hung up out of rats' reach ready to refill the next morning (don't want the critters pooping in them overnight). I would love to be able to fill a feed hopper with a 20 kg sack of feed and just be able to leave it, but I would lose far too much to the rats!

[Flummery]

Ours spend much of the day in a run and the feed hangs under the house. So I know only they are eating it. The weldmesh is 1" x half " and keeps everything out. They have a rummage later in the day on a grassy area and eat verious gross and disgusting things there but I don't think it's adding a huge amount to their diet.

[Aiki BRi]

On the subject of Chicken Feed, we bought a bag of pellets from Scats when we got ours a few weeks ago... I just emptied it last night (Was a 5Kg bag, and we have 5 chooks)

Where do people buy their pellets from? I'm in Surrey, so any recommendation on good quality feeds at reasonable prices is appreciated.

Ian

We have just started getting ours from Purple paws pet products, Purple Paws Pet Products they are local to us and deliver as much as you want for £3.00 if you are close to them, otherwise they deliver by post I think.

[Lemon]

We have just started getting ours from Purple paws pet products, Purple Paws Pet Products they are local to us and deliver as much as you want for £3.00 if you are close to them, otherwise they deliver by post I think.

Hi Aiki,
...that's good to know! My last lot of feed I bought from Woodside nr Luton. I know Thornes have feed - I've also seen rats in the feed barn too! My usual feed place is G.J.W. Titmuss in Wheathampstead. They are a Pet/horsey feed and accessories place. Prices are good.

POULTRY

[nmayhew]

ok i'm new (very) to all things chix but isn't one of the probs with rapidly disappearing food that people are talking about pellets rather than a mash?

pellets are more concentrated so you're bound to roar through it right? sorry if i am sooooo wrong!

also, if your food is accessible to wildlife, what do you expect?!

my 4 are in a pen at present, and will be let out once they know it's "home" in a week or 2's time, and i'm not sure what i'll do about the food then. i think it will be a case of feed them first thing in the pen, then let them out and let them get on with it. i will leave the feed in the pen, and i would be surprised to see a bird go in even if the door is open (fairly ominous looking cage).

the tip about taking the food in at night is a good one - thank you - no point in attracting rats, even if they can't get at it. (my cat takes care of the rabbits -don't want to put too much of a strain on him!!)

kind regards,

nick