40 chickens! How much to feed

[kingsfarm]

I have 7 Roosters and rest hens... How much feed do they require...they free range all day and come in at night...they are fed first thing in the morning and late evening...they go in the henhouse on their own...I can feed flock raiser or Laying pellets.. plus scratch or rice as a treat (extra) Please reply soon, time to purchase feed again....Thanks G

 

[Fred's Hens]

Let them tell you. You mention feeding in the am and pm. If they clean up that afternoon/early evening feeding quickly, you are not over feeding. A late evening, almost nighttime feeding makes it difficult to judge whether they are finishing it before bed-time.

When you have feed left in the feeding trays when the go to roost, you'll have reached the over-feeding point. It's really that simply. The "formulas" of 4 oz or 6 oz per bird, per day are nice guidelines, but your flock will absolutely show you if they need more or less. Empty feeders hours before going to roost? Too little.

Feed still in feeders when they go to roost? Too much. Best regards.

 

[ginbart]

I fill up my feeders and let them eat whenever they want. There is feed in my feeders all the time.

 

[southerndesert]

We have around 40 hens most of the time in two flocks, we feed pellets and go through 100 pounds or better (give or take a few) a month depending on season. Here in AZ they slow down eating and laying in summer and eat much more the 8 months a year the weather is nicer, but also lay more eggs.

We also free range half the day, but give very little else other than a small amount of scratch (own mix) and some alfalfa a couple times a week as desert yards are mainly dirt much of the year.

 

[kingsfarm]

Thank you for your help !
B&M - your situation is pretty much like mine... (1) How many feeders do you have? (2) fifty lbs. in 2 weeks (3) scratch or rice as treats
I have been feeding them on the ground because of sooooo many chickens...I was afraid that the greedy ones will stay at the 3 feeders I
have and the rest won't get any....good idea or not? when rainy feed inside coop... they have been molting so I haen't seen many eggs.
feed milk/bran mixture (milk good for them)...100 lbs of feed a month I can handle with the milk - and rice I was given over 200 lbs of rice
I really need to use it (especially this winter).... what do you think? I forgot they free range all day and come in at night,.

 

[southerndesert]

Quote:
We feed from one large hanging feeder per run free choice and it works well for us. There is little squabbling at the feeder and they are in covered runs though we see very little rain here in the desert. We don't see "greedy" behavior (except with treats) as food is always available and there is no need to compete.

The rice will be fine as a dietary supplement or mixed as scratch with other grains, but we are careful not to feed so much as to "dilute" their main staple layer feed to be sure proper nutrition is maintained. Sometimes too much of a good thing can actually lessen egg production in your hens in our experience.

Alfalfa and scratch when fed is tossed into the pen...

Sounds like things are pretty normal in your flock(s) and maybe try a hanging feeder?