Am I feeding the girls enough?

[Auscal]

I was going to reply, until Fred's response, and thought "that is exactly what I would have written".

 

[Nonny]

Thanks for the replies, and especially Fred's, which is exactly what I needed to hear.

I purchased some more feed today, and have gone on the hunt for DIY plans for a bigger, rainproof feeder that I can put in their run. Will also change to topping the feeder up in the morning rather than at night.

You guys rock!

 

[henparty3]

Mine get layers mash in the morning, mixed with whatever veg peelings from night before, I also tie some wire tightly around some cabbage leaves, apple, carrot or other veg, and hang it up in their run. Yesterday I spread a bit of peanut butter on 3 pinecones and put that into their run, as well as scattering a bit of corn for them to scratch. I thought about folding the ends of toilet paper rolls, and placing some food (dry bread?) inside, to keep them entertained.. will post if this works. At 4ish, they get to run and scratch around a larger fenced in area, and then get a bedtime meal (usually mixed with leftovers) about 7, back in the run attached to their coop. I read that it helps them lay better to have a little food at night, as well as in the morning.. we are just newbies, but they seem ok so far.

 

[Nonny]

Quote:
Henparty - it sounds like you have really happy/lucky chickens! We're newbies as well, having only had chooks since the end of April this year.

 

[pennstatezim]

Mine go crazy when i walk near my coop in the afternoon because they know that I am going to let them out to run around the yard for a couple of hours, Two years ago I used to have my barred rock hens and roo just free ranging in side of a fenced in area where i had my goats and all i had to do with them was put water out for them because they never really ate the food I put out there for them although they love to go try and eat the goat feed when I feed the goats.

 

[LottieDa]

My chickens have food in their feeder all day, everyday. If they're hungry they eat. It doesn't stop them from tripping all over themselves trying to be first to the gate when I come home and yeah, they act like they're starving, and I fool myself that they just love me so much, but in reality, they're looking for treats.

 

[mom x 1]

It doesn't stop them from tripping all over themselves trying to be first to the gate when I come home and yeah, they act like they're starving, and I fool myself that they just love me so much, but in reality, they're looking for treats.

You mean it's not because they love me?!?!

Just kidding, like you I know it's the treats, not me!​

 

[henparty3]

chicken love is just a special kind of love; such violence of passion cannot be all bad

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

Quote:

Mine do this no matter how many times I so much as walk out onto the deck. And if I have already let them out to roam in the yard, once I walk outside it is like a stampede to get to me. I don't even speak a lot of times, but one or two always spot me.

Once they realize I am ignoring them, or not bringing a treat, they go right back to foraging.

 

[whoacowboy]

I also have a 40 lb feeder. I didn't always, but I was seeing they would be out of food sometimes and I didn't like it. With the feeder they eat when they want, and I never have to worry if they are out. They never gorge. And I know they are getting what they need at all times.