Am I overfeeding my chicken?

[UkuleleLady]

She is a rescue chicken so I don't know if she was getting good care before we found her. Maybe she was just skinny then. But I swear she seems to of gotten a lot bigger since we got her and we've only had her a little more than a week. Does her butt look big to you? Do I need to worry that I am overfeeding her? She does nothing but eat, although it seems to me that that's just a chicken thing. I am giving her layer feed and Scratch in a food dispenser, and kitchen scraps once or twice a day,

and I let her run around and forage in the yard for a few hours or more on most days.

 

[Ila88]

I'm waiting to read answers from more experienced members as my husband says I feed mine too much. To me, your girl looks healthy and gorgeous!

 

[BigECarter]

Layer feed should be available at all times. Limit the scratch - not sure how much but I think I've heard a tablespoon per day. Not sure about kitchen scraps. Veggies are good, but pasta should be limited.

 

[Farmer Ken]

I have never had a problem with my chickens over eating.

Chickens peck constantly even when not actually eating. If she has good energy she is fine. If she is sluggish give her more grain.

And she looks good to me.

 

[UkuleleLady]

Thanks everyone. You guys are the best! And check it out! I got a double!

 

[Farmer Ken]

Thanks everyone. You guys are the best! And check it out! I got a double!

Oh nice.

 

[evemfoster]

Layer feed should be available at all times. Limit the scratch - not sure how much but I think I've heard a tablespoon per day. Not sure about kitchen scraps. Veggies are good, but pasta should be limited.

Scratch should be limited to only 10% of the chickens feed. It's the candy of the chicken world. Too much makes them fat and fat chickens wont lay.

So if you are getting any eggs let alone a double yolker you hen isn't too fat.

 

[RonP]

Mine have access to food 24/7.

If given the proper nutrition, you won't overfeed.

 

[chickensfinally]

...

Does her butt look big to you?

"Hey, do these feathers make my butt look big? They do, don't they? You can be honest." LOL! I think a lot of chickens just have "fluffy butts" Maybe she was a bit underweight before. It's possible.

 

[RonP]

I hear that from several family members all the time!