I am confused (and a bit concerned) about the wet mash I have been feeding my girls recently.
When I first started keeping chickens I gave them free access to dry layer pellets. They didn't eat a lot, but as they free-range in a 1000m² garden (for 8 chickens) I assumed that was normal, as they have quite a lot to eat in the environment. However, when one of my girls was sick recently I made a wet mash with the pellets and hot water, in the hope that it would tempt her to eat a bit more. It did, but what amazed me was how much the other girls loved it too!
I therefore decided to keep offering them mash each day, as that way I can be certain that they are getting more of a balanced diet, with free ranging to top up what they eat. They still have access to dry pellets, which they also eat from time to time, but they are very happy with the warm mash.
My problem is that I make the mash each morning when I let them out. Some days they eat it all quite quickly and are happy to have more in the late afternoon, whilst on other days they leave quite a lot (they must find more bugs around and be less hungry!), so I have left over wet mash.
I know that if feed pellets get damp then they go mouldy within a couple of days so I always clean up any spilled pellets, to avoid my girls eating mouldy food, but I am worried about the fact that when I have leftover mash I tend to give it to them first thing the following morning, as I hate to waste food of any sort. It disappears within an hour or two, but by then it is over 24 hours old. I read on a BYC thread that some people recommend throwing away any wet mash that is not eaten within an hour or two, to avoid possible mould contamination! Is this being over-cautious, or am I risking my girls' health by feeding them wet mash that is over 24 hours old?
(Edited for spelling mistakes and clarity!)
When I first started keeping chickens I gave them free access to dry layer pellets. They didn't eat a lot, but as they free-range in a 1000m² garden (for 8 chickens) I assumed that was normal, as they have quite a lot to eat in the environment. However, when one of my girls was sick recently I made a wet mash with the pellets and hot water, in the hope that it would tempt her to eat a bit more. It did, but what amazed me was how much the other girls loved it too!
I therefore decided to keep offering them mash each day, as that way I can be certain that they are getting more of a balanced diet, with free ranging to top up what they eat. They still have access to dry pellets, which they also eat from time to time, but they are very happy with the warm mash.
My problem is that I make the mash each morning when I let them out. Some days they eat it all quite quickly and are happy to have more in the late afternoon, whilst on other days they leave quite a lot (they must find more bugs around and be less hungry!), so I have left over wet mash.
I know that if feed pellets get damp then they go mouldy within a couple of days so I always clean up any spilled pellets, to avoid my girls eating mouldy food, but I am worried about the fact that when I have leftover mash I tend to give it to them first thing the following morning, as I hate to waste food of any sort. It disappears within an hour or two, but by then it is over 24 hours old. I read on a BYC thread that some people recommend throwing away any wet mash that is not eaten within an hour or two, to avoid possible mould contamination! Is this being over-cautious, or am I risking my girls' health by feeding them wet mash that is over 24 hours old?
(Edited for spelling mistakes and clarity!)
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