AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

The Biggest Poultry Forum in the world
It is Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:40 pm

All times are UTC + 10 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Pellets v's wheat?
PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 9:51 pm 
Offline
 
 
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:49 am
Posts: 620
Location: Geelong, Vic
Hi All,

Any advice on whether either of these options are preferable to the other. I feed veggie scraps and they have shell grit available. They also free range all day.

The girls have a definite preference for the wheat, just wanted to make sure it was okay to stop feeding pellets too.

thanks,

Jo

_________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
1 Tibetan Mastiff (Odin), 1 Rottweiler (RIP Sam 18-10-99 to 27-5-11), 2 Moggies (Pepper & Max), 24 chooks (Barred Plymouth Rocks x 3,Light Sussex x 1, Barnevelder x 3, Australorps x 3, Araucana x 7, ISA Brown x 6)
Barry the leghorn on permanent loan
Four Swedish Blue ducklings.
....... and always looking for more


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: Pellets v's wheat?
PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:02 am 
Offline
 
 

Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:23 pm
Posts: 693
Location: Gold Coast, QLD
The problem is, poultry are a bit like us and will eat what they like the taste of first! It doesn't necessarily mean it is good for them. Wheat is particulary high in carbohydrates which is only part of their required diet.

Pellets have been designed to be nutritionally balanced for whatever stage or age, the bird is at, eg chickens, growers and then layers. The protein and nutrient level changes in these feeds to give maximum support to what is happening in the chook at the time. Laying an eggs for example uses a massive amount of protein. The presumption though is pellets are 100% of the feed because the manufacturers can't take into account the feeding of scraps when working out percentages.

Personally I don't think wheat and scraps alone are enough to provide what your chooks need. It also depends on the area you're chooks are freeranging in. Will they exhaust eating bugs, worms etc for extra nutrients because they're going over and over the same ground?

If you're going to trial it, I would suggest taking weights of your chooks (presuming they are all adults) before you stop the pellets and carefully monitor it. If you see weights are dropping off or egg production or health is down then this is a warning sign.

This is an excerpt from this website: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps033
Nutrients are the chemical substances found in feed materials that can be used, and are necessary, for the maintenance, growth, production and health of animals. The nutrient needs of poultry are rather complex and vary with the species, breed, age and sex of the bird. More than 40 specific chemical compounds or elements are nutrients that need to be present in the diet to support life, growth and reproduction. The materials are often divided into six classifications according to their function and chemical nature: water, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. For good health and performance, a diet must contain all of these known nutrients in the proper amounts. If any are insufficient, then growth, reproduction, eggshell quality, egg production, egg size, etc., may be reduced.

Good luck either way :)


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Pellets v's wheat?
PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:35 pm 
Offline
 
 

Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2010 8:14 pm
Posts: 1
I don't know if this helps but I use both but the wheat is more a 3 times a week treat and not given everyday


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Pellets v's wheat?
PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:00 am 
Offline
 
 
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:49 am
Posts: 620
Location: Geelong, Vic
Thanks Guys,

Roova, I had a look at the article, lots of info there. I think I will go back to the pellets. The Girls won't be happy but they'll get over it eventually. I have two groups of birds one lot 9 weeks old (they get grow chick and whatever they can scrounge off the older girls) and the older girls are 15 months.

They have about 300sq meters to roam in, now there are more of them there is probably less bugs to go round. They will still get the veggie scraps at least once a week and maybe a special wheat treat a couple of times a week. 52.gif

They did seem to eat less when they were on the pellets. Although I have had a large infestation of doves and sparrows that have started eating the food, a month or so before I started with the wheat. In the process of building an automated feeder to stop this. Let's hope it works. Stupid doves go in the chicken door to the run and can't find their way out.

Thanks for the advice.

cheers,

Jo

_________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
1 Tibetan Mastiff (Odin), 1 Rottweiler (RIP Sam 18-10-99 to 27-5-11), 2 Moggies (Pepper & Max), 24 chooks (Barred Plymouth Rocks x 3,Light Sussex x 1, Barnevelder x 3, Australorps x 3, Araucana x 7, ISA Brown x 6)
Barry the leghorn on permanent loan
Four Swedish Blue ducklings.
....... and always looking for more


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: Pellets v's wheat?
PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:26 am 
Offline
 
 
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 8:49 pm
Posts: 3613
Location: Maitland
TP Member: Yes
Pellets should be their main meal and yes give them some wheat as well. I use quiet a bit of soaked wheat for my ducks and the chooks especialy if it sprouts

_________________
IF IT QUACKS OR HONKS I WANT [smilie=a_goodjob.gif]
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Pellets v's wheat?
PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:06 pm 
Offline
 
 
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:49 am
Posts: 620
Location: Geelong, Vic
Thanks 2_Drakes.

I haven't tried sprouted wheat. Will give that a go too.

Jo

_________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
1 Tibetan Mastiff (Odin), 1 Rottweiler (RIP Sam 18-10-99 to 27-5-11), 2 Moggies (Pepper & Max), 24 chooks (Barred Plymouth Rocks x 3,Light Sussex x 1, Barnevelder x 3, Australorps x 3, Araucana x 7, ISA Brown x 6)
Barry the leghorn on permanent loan
Four Swedish Blue ducklings.
....... and always looking for more


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 

All times are UTC + 10 hours


Who is on the Forum

Users browsing this forum: 10Geese, 12 Guinea Fowl, 6 Ducks, 6 Gunea Fowl, 70%cocoa, 9 Ducks, Abbey's Birds, ABC Poultry, Adam Pike, Adam Smith, Adeiela, Akeet, Alex Cooper, alexanderpeafowl, Alexandra Poultry, Alison Wright, Allan White, AlligatorCrkHeritageBreed, Ally Mays Fowls, Alpine Poultry, Amature Chookz, American Gamefowl, ANCONA CHICK, Andrew Brown, Andrew James, andrewschooks, Anette Morison, Angela Fisher, Angela Mills, Ann Meek, Ann Owen, annh, Appleton Australorps, Arlene, Arlene Guineas, artemiss, arvoducks, Ash Maree, Ashlee Patterson, auctioneer, Australorps Australia, Avi Rare Breeds, Ayam Cemani, B C Bantams, BabyPea, Backyard Chicken Chat, Backyard fowl, Backyard Serama, Badger Creek Fowl, BaliDuckz, Bantam Rhode Island Red, Bantamenance, Barnywood, Baz Fitzgerald, beakybird, bearfred, BeatenEgg, Beaudesert Mandarins, bemba, bembared, Ben Newton, benalla park, benavon, Bendigo Poultry, Berryjj, Best Birds, Betts Guinea Fowl, Betty Smith, BigDucksOz, BigQuackers, Billy Brown Fowl, birds101, Birds4u, birdsrock, Birdz4u, Black Cockatoo, Black Lories, blackdotte, blackleghorn, BlackSwan, Blackswan1, Blue Australorps, bluefirelady, Blythe Poultry, Bob Brookes, BokBok2, Bonniedoo, Bonny Loft, Boolaroo, Boonah Guinea Fowl Farm, Booths Bantams, Boxwood, Brad M, brerrabbit, Brian Jack, BriansPeas, Broadwing, broken bird, Brookes Pekins, BROOKES POULTRY, Bruce Stephens, BT Homestead, BUBO, Buddy & Moby, Buff Pekins, Buggsy, BushPig, ButtercupBreedGroup, BYC, byhookorchook, Cackles, caladenia, Caladenia Cottage, Callaghan Cattle, Calum H, Cammo Qld, CamsBantams, Candice Williams, Carawatha Chickens, Cashmere, Cassowary, cassycat, castaway chicken, Catherine Jones, Catheryn Lee, Cathy Owen, cc's poultry, Cessnock Poultry, Chang Lee, Charmhaven Chooks, Chattering Chicken, Cheeky Chooks, Cheesman Chooks, Chicken Unity, chicken-boy, Chicken-Clucky, Chicken07, ChickenBone, chickenlittle, Chickens Mad, Chickhorn, Chikyboy, Chook Lady, chookasaurus, chookgirl, chookiebum, ChookieG, ChookMamma, ChookMum, Chooks Galore, Chooks R Us, Chooks&Guineas, chookslife, chookyinoz, ChookzGallour, Christine Shaw, Chukar, Cindy G, Cindy Gibson, Claire Bear, Clarendon Guineafowl, Cliff Wyandotte Bantams, Clucky Henz, CluckyDeb, coastalchookies, Colac Sussex, ColacWaterfowl, Colin Rogers, Collector Peafowl, Collin Rogers, Comobella Poultry, Connor Peafowl, cookie, Cootes, Cordelia, Country Bird, CountryChookz, Cowhide, CQ Poultry, CrackerChook, Craig Jeffries, Crash, Crescent Head Bantams, D Kennedy, Daggy Guineas, Dan Fox, Dan41, Dani Atkin, Daniel Baker, Daniel Lawton, Daniels22, Danni Boyd, Danny, Danny Brown, Darebin Poultry Rescue, DARLING DOWNS PIGEONS, Darren James, darrssy, daviburn, David Fitzgerald, David Martin, David Simons, DavidGraham, Deb Lee, Deb Thomas, Debbie C, debbilee, Denis, Denise Davies, Desborough Birds, Desborough Poultry, Dewhirst, Dianne Carter, DillDale, Dimbulah Guineas, Dodds Birds, Domestica, Dominique GF, Doogan, doug wallace, Down Under, DragonsDen, Dreaming Guineas, Ducks & Guineas, Ducks D Ducks, duckyfromoz, Duckz44, DylanP, Eason Chooks, Easter Eggerz, Eat Chooks, Ecovald, eggnog, EggSellent, eggy, Elizabeth Dumbel, Erika Morgan, Erin Bower, eugenia, Ewan Watkins, Exodus, Exotics Galore, Fancychooklady, Farmer Benji, farminglad, FattyFarm, FeatherFoot Poultry, Feathergarden, Feathers01, Feral Cheryl Silky's, Ferny Creek Marans, Fiona McNeill, Flash, Flightfeathers, FlockPheasants, Flogs, fluff fur & feathers, FluffyBum Silkies, Fowl Smythe, FowlMan, Fraggle, Frances Brahmas, Frans Plymouth Rock, Fraser Island, French Wheaten Maran, FrogLeap, Furze Chooks, Gaggle of Geese, Gails Guinea Fowl, Game Guineas, Gamebreeder, Garden Peas, GarrysGuineas, Garth Lester, Gatton Chickens, GavinGoose, Gavs Gunieas, GawlerPoultry, GAYLE NEWTON, geckodan, Geelong Guineas, Georges Birds, Geraldton Guinea Fowl, Ginny, girlfriday, Glen Fowler, Glen T, Glen Williamson, Go Guinea Fowl, Gold Hornets, Gold Laced Wyandotte, Golden Macaws, Golden Pond, Golden West Waterfowl, Goodwin Ducks, Goodwin Guineas, Goran, GorgiaUS, Gosford Geese, Got GuineaFowl, Goulburn Heritage Poultry, grabby, Graham Varly, gramps, great guineas, GreenWest, Greg Clarke, Greg Davies, Groth, Grove_Guineas, Guinea Coop, GUINEA FOWL, Guinea Fowl Australia, guinea fowl galore, Guinea Fowl Mad, Guinea Fowl Troop, Guinea Gang, Guinea Gardens, Guinea Groove, Guinea Love, Guinea Obsession, Guinea owner, guineafowl, GuineaFowlLove, GuineaGate, GuineaHomer, GuineaMania, Gunnedah Poultry, Guthrie Chooks, Haggis, hairycanary, Hale Family, HAPPYHENS, Hardfeather, Hawkes, Healesville Arucana, Heavenly Homestead, heggie, Heidi F, Heijo, Helen Smith, Helenchooks, Helmeted Guinea, Henny Penny, HillbillyGirlWA, Hitchcock Guinea Fowl, Holdsworth Guinea Fowl, Hood, Hooked on Chooks, Howard Hens, Huff Poultry, Huon Sussex, hylandpark, Hyline Brown, Ian B, Ian Davis, Ian Hunt, infoaddict, Isa Brown, Isachooks, Island Fowl, Ivan J, J Hicks, Jack Murphy, Jack Osborne, Jack Porter, jaffa, James Willis, Jamie Wilson, Jan Richards, Jane Stewart, Janelle Marshall, Jane's Chooks, jap jumbo quails, jarry, jarryd, Jarryd Holmes, Jeff Duncan, Jen71, Jenny Young, Jersey Giant, Jess Mitchell, Jett, Jill McDougall, Jimboomba Poultry, JJ, JKH, JL Birds, JLockett, Jocon, Joe Martin, John Cole, John Glover, John Greenville, John Pike, johnstoneparksussex, Johny Nicholls, jojochooks, Jomo, JonksGuineas, jose, Josh Welsummers, Joyces Guinea Fowl, jr, JRA, Judith King, Judy Appleton, Julia Davies, Julie Hall, Julie Hart, K&S Farms, Kaki Fella, Kalimna Heritage Poultry, kardella poultry, Karlisa, Katanning Fowls, Kathryn Green, Katie Hill, Katy, KAZZA64, Kearney, Kelly Lewis, KellyP, KEMPSEY NAKED NECKS, Ken Johnstone, Kerry Thomson, Kevin's Poultry, kezabel, Khaki_Ducks, Kim Martin, Kims Hairs, Kin Kin Silkies, Kings Guineas, Kingscote Chickens, Kingsthorpe Fowl, klw, konopiste, KoopKing, kowie, Krisp's Birds, KT, KTNQ, kyall3, Kyle Lyne, Kylie Morgan, LadyAmherst21, lanceview, Lara Miller, Laura Mackay, Lavender Guinea Fowl, Lawnton Poultry, Lecks Poultry, Lesley Thomson, Leslie Cooper, Lilly, Lilly Pilly, LillyPonds, Linda P, Linda Turner, Lindy Patrick, Linz, Lisa Hill, Loxton Leghorns, Lozzy, LozzyLoose, LozzyR, Lucindale Guineas, LueT, luvmychook, Lyn Heath, Lyndon Cameron, madrex, makentracks, MamaPyjamaHens, MamasPyjamas, Manalan Chooks, Mandy More, Mannie, Marek, Marengo Heritage Poultry, Marg Mooney, Margaret Stuart, Margie Goodwin, Margret Young, Marie P, Marissa's Fowl, Mark Godwill, MaryJ, MaryJanet, Matt Burdon, Matt Hamo, Matt Knight, MattsGuineas, MaxiHens, McClaren Waterfowl, Mcginniss Fowl, Me Guineas, meander, Mears Fowls, Meg Denning, Megan Pratt, Mel Collins, Melanie Y, Melissa Clare, MemoryLane, Michael Hall, Michael Holmes, Michael Underwood, Michelle Evans, Michelle Turner, Mike Taylor, Milo, MinistryofDucks, Minorca&AndalusianStud, MinorcaCoop, mitchell07, MitchesMarans, Monique, Monto Poultry, Moonshine Farm, Moriarty Poultry, MrPeabody, Mrpeewee, mrsgoose, Ms Frankie, Mt Barker Pekins, Mt Pheasant, Mulbring, mummaroo, Muzz Pheasants, mycoola, Myflockoblues, MyFlocks, mysticviews, NanangoGuineaBoy, Narrung Peafowl, Nat Kirby, Natasha Moore, nathanael bantams, nek minnit, NellyG, Nel’s Pekins, NEP, NepeanBirds, New England Watefowl, Nic James, NightMare, Nionie, Noel Cox, Noel Mathews, Noosaville, Norman Australorps, Northern Exotic Birds, NSW King Quails, NZ Guinea Fowl, NZ Pekin Queen, oakey, Oaklands, OEGS, Old Goat Biden, Oldmanrooster, Olivia N, ONE TREE HILL, Ozchook, ozflock, ozguineafowl, OzGuineaz, ozibirds, O'Connor Sumatras, P_Edwards, Pam, Partridge Brahma, Patrick Kelly, Patterson Silkies, Paul Clark, PeaBee, Peafowland, peamad, pearcey, Pearl Eye, Peel Waterfowl, PeepGuineafowl, Perth Birds, Perth Pigeons, perthchooks, Petchookies, Peter Mead, Peter Thompson, Peter Werren, Pheasant Lad, Pheasant Man, Phil Thomas, Philip Jeffrey, PHILL, PingLee, Pinnacle Pygmies, Pitts_Poultry, PixieSunshine, pj hatchery, Playford Layers, Plumb's Guineas, Podgie, PossumCorner, Poulsen, Poultry, Poultry Hoarder, Poultry Matters, Poultry Menagerie, Poultry mum, Poultry Rare Breeds, poultrynut, PrestigePeafowl, Pretty boy, Priens Fowl, prorooster, Prouten, Pure Poultry Images, Quail4Me, QuailFarmer, QuailQueenGC, QUAILSRUS, QuailTales, Quailz, Quamby Chickens, Rainbow Chickens, RarePoultryBreeders, Rawlinson, Ray English, Ray Jones, realimagery, red horse ranch, redeyekeet, redjohanna, Reeves Family, Regency Geese, Rhiannan H, Rhode Island White, Rhode Red, Rick Bobby, Riverchase, Riverside RIR, RJJ Fowl, Rob Kean, Rob Smith, Robert King, Robert Winton, Robyn Riley, RobynH, Rocky Bobby, RockyRoos, Rod Taylor, Roger Parkin, Rohan, rollyard, Roma Runners, Rose, Rosemary Roosts, RoslynE, RossGuineaFowl, Roundyard, rowan1, ruff, rwood, Sam Rose, Sandra Clarke, Sandra O'Neil, Sandy Nelson, SantaClaws, satchell hens, Scots Grey Stud, Scratch N Hatch, seeing_spots, shairlyn, Sharni N, sharpsruss, Shawn Dalby, shayne, Shaza Rawlinson, Shaza Reeves, Sheffield Pekins, Shelly Roberts, shintaro, Shirley Willis, Shoalhaven Fowl, Show Silkie Stud, Sideswiped, Silkie Pure breed, Silkies Yeah, silver duckwing game, Singleton Poultry, SJC Poultry, Smallflock, snowball, South Aust Rouen Ducks, SouthernDucks, SouthSussex, Spack Fowls, Sparky, Speckled Barnevelder, splash laced Wyandotte, springcreek, Stark Waterfowls, Stelan, Stephen Richards, Stephen William, Steve Ashby, Steve Davies, Stewart Grant, Strange Guinea Fowl, Stuart Turner, Sue Bailey, Sue Cameron, Sue Clarke, Sue Hall, Sue Hill, Sue Jones, Sue ONeill, Sue Sheppard, Sue Wards, sue55, Sultans Stud Qld, Sumatra Stud AU, sunrise, Sussex Light, Sussex19, swiftwood pheasants, SwineoSam, SydneyOEG, T.A.S.S™ [Bot], tania carter, TANYA, Tassie Yokohama, TasV, TazBarnies, Tea Tree Gully, The Barnyard, The Browns, The Chook Man, The Farm House, The Good Life, The Gotfeather, The Guinea Gal, The Spotted Egg, TheChookBlock, thechookhouse1, TheGuineaFella, Titan Aviaries, Tolmie Guinea Fowl, Tolmie Peafowl, Tolmie Pheasants, Tony & Linda, Toolern Vale Fowl, Trace Wakeford, Tracey Lamb, Tracys Poultry Farm, Trany Naked Neck, Tribe of Honk, Tribe's Guineas, Tropic Poultry, Tropicana Macaw, Trott Park, Trout Runner, TSK, Tumut Gunea Fowl, Turkey Man, UK GuineaFowl, Varley Pheasants, Vella Layer Hens, Vicki Joy, Victorian Waterfowl, Violet Town, Vivian Stephen, Volley Chooks, W Brown, WA GUINEA FOWL GUY, WA Guineas, Walker Guinea Fowl, warmblood, Webbs Orpingtons, Welsh's Araucana, WendyT, Wheatley Silkies, white modern game, Whittlesea Poultry, whittls, wildman, Willow Park Poultry, winglet, wolfgang, Wombatbird, Wonderful Silkies, Wongarra Poultry, Wood Duck, WoodAviaries, WoodyPoultry, WotTheFlock, Yeppoon Guinea Fowl, YOUTH AG, Yvette, Zammit, Zanne and 5662128 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  

A.P.F - Australian Poultry Forum TM 1566349 all rights reserved 2002 - 2024

APF supports

Stop Forum Spam