The Poultry Keeper

deanojul67 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 342

Howdy iv e been feeding my hens on layers pellets oyster shell egg shell (chicken), no grit as theres plenty knocking about and it doesn't seem to bother them, but after going to my local poultry food place i noticed barley and another kind of cereal i forget now what it was, they said a lot of people mix these and oyster-shell instead of layers as i fancy being as organic as possible do you think this is a better way or are the layers organic enough??
any help welcome

Dean..........

Aussie Chick · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:13 pm Post subject:

I believe Layers is enough, but I would definitely add extra grit, I put it in a container on its own so I can see the amount they are eating. It helps make the shell harder.

Also you can add fresh green vege ( lettuce/cabbage etc, hang it up in the run)

I'm sure the others will post soon too.

AC

deanojul67 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 342

right i didn't realize the grit was to do with the shell thought it was just to chew there food, so do u think that layers are organic enough??

jaydee67 · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:41 pm Post subject:

From what I understand the oyster shell is broken down by the bird's digestive system to realease the calcium they need for their sheels, grit doesn't break down and is essential to help them grind food in the crop - especially if they have access to grass. Grain should only be fed as a treat as birds can easily become overweight on it and fat hens have egg laying probs. You can get organis layers pellets, whether or not the ones you are feeding your birds are organic you can check with your supplier.

Aussie Chick · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:42 pm Post subject:

I know you can buy different brands of layers, some are more organic than others. I can't remember the name of mine, will look in the morning ( remind me). Mine are organic!

stephen · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 6:40 am Post subject:

We desperately want to feed them organically, but no-one stocks organic food for chickens around here as there is "no demand".

We spoke to the feed mills at Stoneleigh and they can't persuade anyone locally to stock it. Sad

nigel · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 6:45 am Post subject:

Grit comes in two types,

the insoluble type (like flint and granite grit) this is used in the crop to grind up the food and help with digestion

a the soluble type (like oyster shell and limestone) this is broken down in the digestive system and increases the level of calcium.

Most layers pellets have a balanced amount of calcium already in, so personally i never use any of the soluble types, but I emphasise this is personal choice. There are some reports that adding calcium can upset the calcium/phosphorus balance and this is why I have avoided it for my girls

Aussie Chick · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 6:54 am Post subject:

Thanks Nigel. Mine is the granite grit. That sounds good to me.

Lisa · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:37 am Post subject:

A minor point, but the crop doesn't do the grinding. It is just a temporary storage pouch for food. Any grinding takes place further down in the digestive system in the gizzard... that's where the grit is needed.

What ever way you provide their food, chickens do need a good diet with minimum levels of various nutrients. AFAIK if you feed grains alone it is unlikely that the chickens will be getting enough protein, which will have implications for egg numbers and probably their health.

Modern feeds contain soya products to up the protein content of the feed.

Protein sources used to come from meat (beef) or fish by products, or household scraps.

Old poultry books (if you can get hold of them) have various "recipes" of what would constitute a balanced ration and list what could be used for chicken food ingredients.

Or you can find some info online, eg this 1945 bulletin on feeding poultry...

CP · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:54 am Post subject:

Being the lazy so-&-so that I am, I'm glad I can just go & buy pellets instead of having to make/mix my own! Embarassed

But then I can buy the organic ones easily around here.

I suppose you couldn't buy them online, Stephen? Confused

CityChick, you are a mine of information! Wink

Bhindi · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 10:07 am Post subject:

Stephen, I purchase it in Rugby, would this be to far for you.
Poultry & bird supplies 01788 568466.

Allen Page supply Warwickshire: Nuneaton,Coventry,Kenilworth and swinford, Harborgh Magna and the above(Rugby)Do you visit these areas.(other than for the Royal Show!)

stephen · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 10:57 am Post subject:

stephen · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 11:00 am Post subject:

CP · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 11:06 am Post subject:

mojo · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 4:36 pm Post subject: organic

stephen .just a thought may you could offer the manufacturer of organic pellets a free advert if he sends you some........mojo.....worth a try?