What to do with leftover layer feed?

[sakerobot]

We had our hens on layer feed for a year, and this year's pullets on grower. We also have a rooster now.

The feeder with the layer feed is inside the big hen coop, next to the nesting boxes. I haven't had to refill it in weeks - it appears they've all decided they prefer the grower feed instead. This is fine, they have access to oyster and egg shells besides insects they find.

Question is - what do I do with the leftover feed? There's about half a gallon in the coop feeder, and about half of a 50lb bag. I could toss it into the forest for rodents to eat, but I don't want random rodents to suffer from an excess of calcium.

 

[sybonbon]

Mix grower into the layer feed. Maybe you can trick them.

 

[Backroadlogic]

I would just toss a handful down to your layers daily before you fill the feeders. You know how chickens are when they think they are getting a treat, ravenous buggers

 

[FrostRanger]

I'd make a wet mash or ferment it for your layers. That's how I use up leftover feed. They'll think you're giving them a treat

 

[rosawoodsii]

I'd make a wet mash or ferment it for your layers. That's how I use up leftover feed. They'll think you're giving them a treat

How do you do that? Just add water to the regular feed or is there more to it than that? And what about fermented feed? How and why to do that?

 

[FrostRanger]

How do you do that? Just add water to the regular feed or is there more to it than that? And what about fermented feed? How and why to do that?

Yes, you just add water to make a mash. Fermenting it makes the feed more bioavailable and some people feed their flock exclusively fermented feed. I personally only feed it occasionally as a treat as it's just less hassle to have feed always available for the girls. Fermenting feed is easy enough, fill a jar a bit under halfway with feed, add water, cover loosely (it needs to breathe and have some air exposure) and let sit for 1-3 days. Here's a thread with more info if you're curious https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/fermenting-chicken-feed-a-straightforward-method.75967/

 

[sakerobot]

To conclude the original thread post - the remaining bag I gave away at my local animal/garden store, and the feeder that they hadn't been touching was in fact desecrated by rodents for some time, so I threw the remainder away in the forest somewhere.

 

[FrostRanger]

To conclude the original thread post - the remaining bag I gave away at my local animal/garden store, and the feeder that they hadn't been touching was in fact desecrated by rodents for some time, so I threw the remainder away in the forest somewhere.

Fair enough, but I wouldn't throw feed in the forest as it'll attract wild animals

 

[rosawoodsii]

Yes, you just add water to make a mash. Fermenting it makes the feed more bioavailable and some people feed their flock exclusively fermented feed. I personally only feed it occasionally as a treat as it's just less hassle to have feed always available for the girls. Fermenting feed is easy enough, fill a jar a bit under halfway with feed, add water, cover loosely (it needs to breathe and have some air exposure) and let sit for 1-3 days. Here's a thread with more info if you're curious https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/fermenting-chicken-feed-a-straightforward-method.75967/

Thanks so much for that link. Very helpful!

 

[Bawkbok]

I also have feed left over that I have no intention on feeding to the chickens. I intend to take it to a city park to feed the squirrels, birds and whatever other critters are there. Never dispose of it near your home due to wild animals and birds (avian flu). You'll attract more.