Should I Ration my Chickens food?

[neetabeamie]

Should I ration my chickens food or just let them eat as much as they want out of the feeder then refill it?
That is what I have been doing. I read about how you are supposed to ration your ducks feed when they start laying so I was wondering if this was true for chickens as well?

 

[BootsMcgee]

Following.......

I free feed as well.

 

[Folly's place]

I don't do ducks, but chickens should have a balanced food in their feeder free choice. Limiting treats is a good idea. Cornishx meat birds might do better with some food restriction, but that's a separate issue. Mary

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Should I ration my chickens food or just let them eat as much as they want out of the feeder then refill it?
That is what I have been doing. I read about how you are supposed to ration your ducks feed when they start laying so I was wondering if this was true for chickens as well?

I've always let them feed free-choice. The girls have access to the yard and will spend the entire day contentedly grazing on fresh green grass, visiting the feed hopper only as needed...

 

[pdirt]

I'm lazy. I don't want to be out there twice a day feeding them. Most people seem to do rationed feeding to cut down on waste. I have done it and it does help with waste but didn't think it worth the effort. Or some people like spending more time each day with their chickens. I don't. I like our chickens a lot, but don't want to be tied down to having to feed them twice a day.

My current waste control method: when they run out of feed in the feeder, I wait a day or day and a half before refilling their feeder. That way they tend to do a pretty good job of cleaning up around the feeder. They also get some free range time most days so they can get some of their own food as well.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I feed free choice. I've only heard of it being a problem raising meat birds.

 

[mymilliefleur]

No, Free choice feed is best. I have never know a laying hen to eat too much to the point of getting fat. Most people I know that try to ration their birds end up with chickens that are always hungry, and no eggs. If your chickens are spilling a lot of feed, than you might want to look into another kind of feeder.