4.5 hectares big enough for 80 layers?

[MammaHen]

I have 80 free range layers of mixed varieties who have unlimited access to 4.5 hectares of land. They don't however make full use of the entire property. Should I still be supplementing their diet with layers pellets or would they look further for their nutritional requirements if forced to? Is 4.5 hect big enough to supply them with the right amount of protein?

 

[redhen]

is a hectare like our american acre?

 

[MammaHen]

hey Red Hen. Sorry! According to our friend google 1 hectare is equivalent to 2.47 acres or 107.6 square feet. Does this help? Its all greek to me!

 

[Buster]

That is quite a bit of acreage (in my book) but I would definitely recommend feeding them chicken feed and the free ranging be the supplement instead of the other way around. That way, you know that they will be getting enough of what they need (especially with that many birds) and the free ranging will keep the feed bill down. If you force that many birds to find all of their nutrition from the acreage, you will have hungry chickens.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
thanks for the info!

i wish i could help you! but, it sounds like they will have plenty of land of forage on...but, i am not sure, someone will chime in and help you out! good luck!

 

[MammaHen]

Thanks for that Buster. The only problem is that I am only able to get medicated layer pellets and its such a waste to have these chickens living the ultimate healthy life and then to spoil it with meds just cause I can't get anything else! They really don't need meds as they are a very hardy indigenous breed. Could I perhaps feed them Cracked corn in the evening as bulk and leave the protein up to them and the insects? We other free range livestock (11 sheep and 7 cows) roaming amongst them with the never ending tick and flea population, surely this will all help?

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
if your 2.47 acres= 1 hectacre

then there are about 11 to 12 acres

107.6 feet square is about 43,000 spuare feet per acre..

the 80 chickens will probably do OK with some suplimental feed.

cracked corn ?? I don't think so..

I had real good luck with 50/50 corn and oats ///rough ground

I am currious, why can't you get layer mash??

 

[MammaHen]

We can get layer mash but its all medicated and thats what I'm trying to avoid. So if I do the 50/50 corn oats mix, with the all day free range, they should be ok in the protein dept?

 

[RendonRoo]

get a few guinies they will take care of those fleas and ticks from what i understand.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
don't guineas run wild in Africa??