Chicken Feed

[easyanimal]

I just wondered which chicken feed everyone thinks is the best? I have a few friends who are looking at getting some chickens so would like to recommend a good brand and supplier.

 

[dinosaw]

I use Marriages feeds, the chickens like them and they are well regarded generally, i'm paying £8.90 for 20kg of layers pellets.

 

[chrismahon]

i think Garvo is generally regarded as the best -if you can get it in your area which we can't. So we have to make do with Allan and Page Smallholder range (both Rearer/Grower and Layers), which we buy delivered in half ton lots at the moment. Also use Dobson and Horrell chick crumb and Marriages Flubenvet premix. We've just paid £9.50 for a 20Kg bag of Smallholder Rearers pellets, but usually get it much cheaper in bulk

 

[Marigold]

I use Garvo which is generally regarded as a high-quality feed its a bit more expensive but worth it because there is very little waste and the chickens do well on it. But I think if your friends stick to any of the major brands, eg Marriages, Dodson & Horrel, Smallholder etc they are all OK. Look at what it says on the bag about origins and contents, and don't buy very cheap stuff, it's a false economy.

 

[Chuck]

I too would say any of the branded names are fine. They do vary a bit in makeup but there really aren't any bad brands. Garvo seems to be unnecessarily complicated range (for me this is only heresay. as I've no experience with this brand at all). Buy the type of feed to suit your stock i.e. if they're layers, feed layers pellets as they are formulated to suit. Price variations occur but his is often due to the markup where you buy it and the distance it has to travel.
Don't get hung up or unnecessarily complicated ! Keep it simple, especially in the beginning.

 

[easyanimal]

Many thanks for all the advice on chicken feed, this seems incredibly cheap compared to dog food prices. As most of the friends live in isolated areas they would be looking to buy these online so i guess they will need to take into consideration the shipping costs. Im sure they will only be buying 2 x 20 kg to start with but wondered if you could just buy these online in those quantities?

 

[Marigold]

The carriage would probably be rather high on a couple of 20kilo bags, in relation to their actual cost. How remote can you get? Whereabouts do they live? Are they on the mainland? You can buy chicken feed in lots of outlets eg agricultural stores as well as smaller local dealers selling it on. Maybe other people living nearby could advise?

 

[chrismahon]

The problem we find EA is the use by date. The feed does go off and shouldn't be used after the date stated. Having said that the storage conditions are important and we do use out-of-date feed occasionally. We used to feed it to our ewe! So before you order any that's something you need established. You could collect a larger amount and store it as it may save on the postage costs.

 

[Chuck]

There are outlets I'm sure for agricultural/horse supplies in most areas. Someone locally would be able to advise them, perhaps a local farmer or the internet of course.

 

[Blue]

advise them to go to their nearest feed/agri store and see what they stock, and what they charge/what the minimum order for delivery is. there may not be much choice!
for example our local is an independent store, they deliver 10 items free or charge £10. They only stock one brand of chicken feed - Heygates, in both pellets & mash. You can request other brands which they fetch on a Tuesday (we have to order in our pig feed) btu personally I don't see the point, Hg is fine...