Mash not Going Well - Help!

[Crystal8088]

Hello everyone!

I wanted desperately to feed nonGMO feed, and found a local supplier. Unfortunately, it is a finely ground mash. My chicks aren't eating nearly as much as my previous chicks ate crumble, and it doesn't fall through the feeders as well, either, so I have to go out several times per day to shake it down into the feeding ring. So of course, they aren't grown as fast, either. I'm wondering if there is a way to turn the feed into a crumble, or some other solution to get them eating more.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Try wetting the feed so it clumps together. It won't work in a gravity feeder so use a dish like a pie plate, cat or dog food bowl.

 

[Seaecho]

^ This is what I do, and my chickens seem to like it best--even over fermented feed.

 

[Maeschak]

Hello everyone!

I wanted desperately to feed nonGMO feed, and found a local supplier. Unfortunately, it is a finely ground mash. My chicks aren't eating nearly as much as my previous chicks ate crumble, and it doesn't fall through the feeders as well, either, so I have to go out several times per day to shake it down into the feeding ring. So of course, they aren't grown as fast, either. I'm wondering if there is a way to turn the feed into a crumble, or some other solution to get them eating more.

Same happened to me- I switched from pellet/crumble to non-gmo ground whole grain feed (super powdery mash). I spent soooo long hating everything about it except for its quality. I couldn't keep it in the feeder, chickens billed out half of it since they could see tiny pieces of corn, etc.
Long story short just add water. Get some of those rubber feed dishes (I think for horses), pour in the feed, pour in the water and then stir. The birds love it! Everything sticks together so no more sorting, they finish all of their feed, and the extra moisture really helps with their hydration. They drink a lot less from the waterer now.
If you ge the right size bowls you can fit about 9 hens to a bowl but it's not wide enough that they feel comfortable standing in it unless they are alone.