Am I giving my road island reds 6 of them to much food? 10lbs every two days.

[Phil6059]

With the snow and my free range RIR stuck in the coop food went from 10lbs every 3 or 4 days to every 2 days, Two Much? Still laying 5 to six eggs a day. I don't want to over feed. Any advice? Thanks

 

[Kirkwooder]

I always free feed. Let them eat however much they need. That seems like a lot for 6 hens though, make sure you have some sort of rodent control system in place. One chipmunk will run off with twice as much feed as a fat old hen will eat in any given day. Hens will need to increase intake when temps fall as well.

 

[Phil6059]

I always free feed. Let them eat however much they need. That seems like a lot for 6 hens though, make sure you have some sort of rodent control system in place. One chipmunk will run off with twice as much feed as a fat old hen will eat in any given day. Hens will need to increase intake when temps fall as well.

Thank you for taking time to answer my concerns. It has been below freezing for the last two weeks. May be the answer. Thank you again

 

[ChickenLeg]

I feed 6 big hens 2 big roosters and about 32 bantams with 50-60 lbs a week. Id see if they are wasting it on ground or if amsomethinf else is gettinf in there

 

[PioneerChicks]

It is likely they are wasting food or rodents or birds are eating some. Fermenting, or at least soaking the feed can solve this.

 

[Chickenclaude]

Yup. I have 5 girls and 40# bag lasts me just under a month. You’re feeding others..those girls are throwing a party every night

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm thinking you have a rodent or wild bird issue. The average chicken eats around 1 1/2-2 lbs a week. So your 10 lbs should last your flock a week.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

That is a TON of food. My 5 heritage turkeys don't eat that much!

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Agree it sounds like a bit much - what type of feeder?

 

[K0k0shka]

If it's not a pest issue, then maybe they're just wasting it. Check the area around the feeder. If it's pine shavings, it can be hard to see wasted feed as it falls to the bottom. Look for a waste-free feeder and take it away at night to minimize loss to rodents.