HELP ! How much feed ! - Page 2

I love the mason jar set up!  I would love to see how that is done exactly. I have tons of mason jars and I would only like to feed out of stainless steel or glass. If you can give me more info on those thatd be great!

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Originally Posted by Wolfewindflower 

I love the mason jar set up!  I would love to see how that is done exactly. I have tons of mason jars and I would only like to feed out of stainless steel or glass. If you can give me more info on those thatd be great!

My local feed store sells the bases for the jars. I've seen steel or they now have different colored plastic--not for you, I understand, but I do think it's a good marketing tactic. You just buy the base, use your own jar. You fill the jar, screw the lid on and quickly invert, like a gravity waterer. Easy peasy. They just don't hold enough for very many chicks once they get growing.......

i got told with mine to make sure that they have food at all times, that they wont over eat, :)

Here is the set up that I have for my Buff Orpington Chicks. The aquarium is a 40 Breeder and offers great floor space for the chicks. Its pretty easy to take the chicks indoors and raise them until they feather out. I allow feed and water to be available to the chicks 24/7...if you were raising a Rock Cross for meat, then you'll want to take the feed away at night.

Chick starter is very high in nutrient content. I don't think that it would be harmful for the hen, but if you want to feed regular chicken feed to the hen and save the higher nutrient food for the chicks....If possible set up a fencing around the hen so that she doesn't wander off and take the chicks with her. You'll want a fencing material where the chicks can get through, but the hen can't. Set up the chick feeders outside the fence and set up the hen's feeder inside the fence, but elivated so the chicks don't get into it. Course you'll want to have a perimeter fence so that you don't loose the chicks.

Just Google "chicken feeders" or "chicken waterers" and you will find numerous types.

w all good info thanks, if you are feeding your laying flock how much do you feed per day ? still food on demand? I have read lots of differing advice (one cup per hen per day or 2 cups) I really like to just have feed in there all of the time myself but maybe I am wrong??

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Originally Posted by lareynadenada 

w all good info thanks, if you are feeding your laying flock how much do you feed per day ? still food on demand? I have read lots of differing advice (one cup per hen per day or 2 cups) I really like to just have feed in there all of the time myself but maybe I am wrong??

 

I feed free choice to all ages at all times. 

I have Buff Orpington chicks. So I'm a long ways from active layers...the plan is too make their feed available, free choice, and allow the birds access to the yard to forage. Under those conditions the birds should hit the feeders hard in the mornings and evenings, and then intermittantly throughout the day. Course seems there's always that one bird that'll plop down and not go more than 5 feet from the feeder. 

thanks for your replies, I also think they should have feed and water inside the henhouse because mine will be locked in from sunset until I get up. We have coyotes, bobcats and raccoons not to mention hawks, but my run will have a cover

This is my Henhouse in progress Should be done tomorrow