I thought I would just start a new thread with this. To those that use or have used chicken feed as cat litter I have a couple of questions:

1. What type/kind of chicken feed is best to use (specific brands/companies etc..)

2. I read somewhere that it will form weevils if not stored properly, so how do you store it?

3. Does it have clumping properties? And can you flush it?

4. How does it compare to WBCL

5. Is it dusty? And tracks?

Thanks!! :)

I have used it...
1. What type/kind of chicken feed is best to use (specific brands/companies etc..)

I used layer "granules / crumbles" I think by KLM (or other initials). Any layer "granule/crumble" should work but make sure it is NOT medicated. You can buy in a smaller 10lb bag to make sure it works before committing to a 40lb bag. I have heard that purina Layena (unmedicated) is the best, but can't find it in my area.

2. I read somewhere that it will form weevils if not stored properly, so how do you store it?
Yes... made of corn (and possibly other grains) so VERY condusive to bugs. That said I was able to keep mine bug-free in the south east during summer, and in a room off of the garage. This is how I did it: Store excess in mega ziploc storage bags in a chest freezer. Store 1 months' worth in an airtight bin (i.e. those you get with clay litter or food containers). this way, if bugs were in it to start with, they get frozen / killed and the air-tight container will prevent them from growing.
Also, keeping clean is important. I swept around the box two times a week..you could use a vaccuum, just to make sure none was lying around.

3. Does it have clumping properties? And can you flush it?

Yes, but not as tightly as WBCL. If your cat produces major pee clumps, might be a problem. Not sure on the flushing...I'm pretty sure that it would dissolve/break up the clumps in water, but I wouldn't do it on a septic tank system...On city water, should be ok. I would also let the clumps "soak" in the toilet for a while (to break up) before flushing.

4. How does it compare to WBCL

clumps aren't as solid / rock hard. Odor control is not as good (but I added baking soda for that). BUT I paid $10 for 50lbs....verses $34.99 for 35lbs of WBCL. If you've used WBCL, I'd get a small bag of the chicken feed, test it out, and see if you like the results. You might be able to get good results by mixing the two, but I never tried that.

5. Is it dusty? And tracks?

No dust other than when I was pouring it from the big bag (50lbs) into the various ziplocs and air-tight container. No dust when scoop into the box (I use a feed scoop to add extra to the box instead of pouring). Tracking...about the same as WBCL.

HTH,
Art

I am not sure about brand, you just have to get the feed they feed to baby chicks. It has no antibiotics or anything else in it. tell then you want the laying crumbles.

It clumps as well as any other litter I have ever used, and I am sure you can flush it, but I don't.

It is very much like the WBCL. I just keep it in its bag, until the plastic trash can I have it in, needs to be refilled.
A kitchen size trash can with a pop up lid. I keep it next to the litter pan for easy refilling of the pans.

the odor in the summer is "corny" . In the summer I mix it with swheat, and that keeps down the odor. I never had a problem with bugs in it. One time though, I had the litter pan in the basement, and it got moldy from the moisture in the basement, so keep it upstairs.

I love it, but the price is going up. I paid 16.00 for 50 pounds last time.

I think i am going to try this as my next choice for litter..hopefully my kitties won't be allergic to it... i live in a tiny studio apartment so I also just really hope it doesn't make the place smell like corn all over.. or worse.. like a farm!! Are they're certain ones that smell less strong?

I'm going to try a small bag first for sure.. I live in a major city and doubt that there would be a feed store anywhere near me.. but maybe i'm wrong.. is this stuff not sold in Walmart etc.. and i never thought about freezing it. that's a good idea if u buy in bulk. :)

The feline pine i'm using now is ok.. but with two older kittens and one litter box, the stuff breaks down fast. I got a 7lb bag to try it out and it says its supposed to last 4 weeks.. but I don't think mine will make it past more than 2 weeks.. i maybe can stretch it out to 3 weeks max.. but i doubt it! Hopefully this stuff will last longer.

SOME walmarts carry it (mine doesn't) you have to be in a demographic area where walmart thinks it can sell it regularly (i.e. a rural state like wyoming, etc.)

Art

I wanted to try it so I just bought a 50lb bag for $15 at the feed store. I got the Broiler crubmle. Just ask for crumble and they should be able to figure it out. My cats were eating it so I mixed half of the regular litter in with it and now theyre using it a tiny bit. Doesnt seem dusty, not sure if its tracking, havent rememberd to check yet. Im leaving it in the bag for now, five feet of snow outside I dont think bugs will be a problem. I am storing the stuff Im using now in an empty litter container (the plastic buckets). The feed/clay litter mixture clumps great, not sure how it is on its own. Good Luck!

I am not sure about brand, you just have to get the feed they feed to baby chicks. It has no antibiotics or anything else in it. tell then you want the laying crumbles.

You actually shouldn't get chick feed. Most feed for baby chicks is medicated.

Anyway I've never personally used this for cat litter because I like perfumey Scoop Away, but most layer feed comes in either 16% or 20% and has to do with calcium levels in the feed among other things. Buy whatever is cheapest and tell them you want crumbles [not pellets]. Most chicken feed is the same, it all looks similar anyway. I don't have a brand to recommend because the feedstore I go to makes their own.

I like perfumey Scoop Away.

I looove Scoop Away but the last three tubs I got have been suffocatingly dusty and my cats have started sneezing :(

I am not sure about brand, you just have to get the feed they feed to baby chicks. It has no antibiotics or anything else in it. tell then you want the laying crumbles.

You actually shouldn't get chick feed. Most feed for baby chicks is medicated

It is not medicated, the feed store explained that it has no additivies or antibiotics, and babychick feed(crumbles) is what is used, not regular chicken feed.
I live in phila and have a feed store. I am sure you will find one in your area.
Never looked for it at walmart. I don't think you can buy it in a smaller than 50 pound bag, but my store will sell it by the pound out of a bag, for more per pound, of course. So you could buy 5 pounds and try it.

I live and work near downtown Portland, Oregon (just across the river from downtown) and believe it or not, there is a feed store 4 blocks away! I never knew it was there :blush: I haven't tried this as litter but like hearing how it has gone for others.

Thanks for all the replies!! So I finally found a feed store near where my parents live (and luckily I am going up there tommorow) so I will stop by. I called the store and the smallest bag they said they have is 25lbs which is said was sold at about 7 dollars (hopefully my kitties take to this litter, otherwise I don't know what I'm going to do with all the chicken feed). I had read before that people recommended the Purina Layena chicken feed and this store sells them so I think I will get that. They have both pellets, crumbles, and mash... and guessing from what I've read, I think I will be buying the crumbles.

However, is there a certain specific Purina Layena crumbles type I should buy????

I am going to store the extra stuff once I get it in one of my old large clay litter jars so hopefully I won't have any problems with it getting infested by anything or it rotting etc... and since you guys have said that it is clumping that will be really good, but I am going to attempt to flush the waste and pee clumps and hopefully they're will not be any clogs.. :sweat:

I'd just get the standard crubmles, I dont think brand matters, its all the same! I think I said Im mixing mine with the regular because they were just eating it. If it doesnt work you could always use it for bird feed!

It is not medicated, the feed store explained that it has no additivies or antibiotics, and babychick feed(crumbles) is what is used, not regular chicken feed.

Then your feedstore is way different because all baby chicks should be started out with medicated feed, all of the feed we ever bought for our chicks had antibiotics in it to give them a boost.

However, is there a certain specific Purina Layena crumbles type I should buy????

It really doesn't matter what brand you buy, the feedstore might even make their own and it might be cheaper. Since you aren't buying it to feed chickens, brand isn't a huge issue :) But definitley go for crumbles, pellets is pelleted[obviously hahaha] and sometimes even the pellets aren't that broken down, the mash I think is more like what you'd feed ducks, and is probably more broken down so you can make a 'mash'.

Then your feedstore is way different because all baby chicks should be started out with medicated feed, all of the feed we ever bought for our chicks had antibiotics in it to give them a boost.


I did some research on this and "starter feed" can be medicated or not. I asked my store if there is any medication in it, and the answer is no, plus there is none listed on the bag. When you buy your feed, make sure you get the unmedicated kind. Might want to check out what the Purina has in it.