Feed......what is the difference?

[marinitagsd]

I have just changed my boy from Bailey's number 4 to Hobson & Dorrell Build Up Mix as the weight gain was very slow. There is a difference this week and he has put on more weight. I just wondered what exactly the difference between cubes/nuts and a mix in the same food apart from the price? The cubes are just over £9 whereas the mix is over £12!
Thanks
Anita
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[vicijp]

They aren't the same brand though, which affects the price. 'Mix' versions of a nut will always have more starch, so best to stick to nuts if you can.

 

[marinitagsd]

I'm talking about the Dobson & Horrell Build up, it comes in both cubes and a mix, just wondering why they differ in price.
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[Ziggy_]

I've found from looking at the ingredients that cubes often contain less cereal and are therefore lower in starch.

For instance, baileys no 4 is contains wheat but is oat, barley and I *think* maize free wheras D&H build up is based on barley, wheat and maize. The baileys top line mix also contains barley.

I'm sure there are other differences thats just the one I know.

 

[vicijp]

The processes to produce them are different, which may be a factor, but probably because they know the majority will shell out more because they think mix is 'nicer' for their horse.

 

[marinitagsd]

So they have the same makeup but are produced differently, is that all? My boy is doing well on the mix but if the cubes will do exactly the same thing then me thinks he will be going on the cubes! lol

 

[teddyt]

Check with the manufacturer but cubes are normally higher in fibre and lower in starch for the same product. There is sometimes a difference in protein and energy though.

 

[vicijp]

Cubes are better for him. Less starch.

 

[marinitagsd]

Thanks for that everyone, I have just brought him back into work so maybe the cubes would be better, he is currently on 1 stubbs scoop D&H mix and fast fibre each feed, he has this 3 times a day with ad-lib haylage.
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[lilym]

Cubes are lower in starch for a start. All the ingredients in a cube are cooked down and then pushed through a machine into pencils, this cooking process breaks down the starch.
Mixes - the cereals are micronised and a vit/min pellet added, then they are dressed with molasses (although there are molasses free mixes out there)

 

[gails]

Th nuts tend to not last as long as well, which is why I think they tend to be a little cheaper, at my supplier the D&H nuts are about a pound cheaper than the mix

 

[cptrayes]

The nuts may not last as well because they haven't got mould inhibitor added. You may prefer not to feed the mould inhibitor.

They can put "worse" quality in a nut because you can't see it. A bit like mishaped chocolates are cheaper than the ones that look right!