Changing feeds...how to...

[agreenhalgh]

Ok so i have decided to change my mares feeds to a lo cal diet and i am wondering how I do this now i have decided on what feed she will be having.
She is a welsh cob cross, and, naturally, loves her grub. I need to introduce her new balancer and chaff and phase out the old mix and chaff. How do i do this without upsetting her tummy? Whats the best thing to do, i know i have to do it gradually, but im phasing both out so do i introduce one at a time or both?

Any help greatly received xxx

 

[monkeybum13]

Personally I would change the chaff first (gradually) and once the chaff has been changed then phase out the mix, introduce the balancer, but I'm sure lots of other people will do it differently.

 

[millyspaniel]

Best wayin My opinion is to take out a small handfull of the old chaff and introduce a small handful of the new chaff - do the same with all the feed introducing/taking out a small handfull each day untill your just left with the new stuff.

Forgot to add - do this over 7 - 10 days

 

[Maesfen]

I would add a handful of the new feed to her old feed for a day or two (reduce quantity if you need to) then I would take a handful of her old feed out while still adding the new feed at the same quantity if that makes sense. Each time you add a handful of the new, take out a handful of the old and I would change the amounts each time over about 3 days. Probably by a fortnight, you should be on the new stuff completely. You will probably be better doing one foodstuff at a time if she is a fussy feeder, if not, do them together just remember to not increase her daily intake of food as you do it. If she doesn't like one of the new things, just take a bit of extra time over it.

 

[Stacie_and_Jed]

I dont normally change chaff gradually just switch over.

With hard food id do a handful at a time and gradually change that way over the space of 5-10 days.

 

[Maesfen]

Lol, I just took longer to write it!