Amount of Feed Daily

[IRChicken]

@Mac in Wisco

Thanks for clearing that up, I've been googling for feed quantity amounts chickens consume for several days for a definitive #, but kept getting a goose egg instead.
So you go through 18,750 lbs. of feed per month? That's almost 9 tons.

@saladin

I did not discount your information, I only found your one line matter of fact posts difficult because you didn't provide any support for your position, such as links to sources or quantity of chickens you have and amount of feed you go through.

These numbers are important and can help me determine my upfront costs of raising chickens for 6 months until egg laying. This will also help me determine how many chickens I can afford to keep.

What are the amounts at different stages of growth, 1-7 weeks on starter, 8-16 weeks on grower?

According to the Meyer's charts in their catalog, using the total consumed for that period:

• 3.02 lbs total from 1-7 weeks or 1 ounce a day averaged per chicken
• 8.34 lbs total from 8-16 weeks or 2.4 ounces a day averaged per chicken

Do you consider the Meyer's useful as a starting point?

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
Slightly more, it's usually around 10 tons per month.

What are the amounts at different stages of growth, 1-7 weeks on starter, 8-16 weeks on grower?

According to the Meyer's charts in their catalog, using the total consumed for that period:

• 3.02 lbs total from 1-7 weeks or 1 ounce a day averaged per chicken
• 8.34 lbs total from 8-16 weeks or 2.4 ounces a day averaged per chicken

Do you consider the Meyer's useful as a starting point?

That gibes pretty closely with the management guide for the types of birds that we use. These are 4.5 lb brown layers:

http://www.centurionpoultry.com/default/download_pdf/50​

 

[FrenchToast]

Ok so the 12-13 oz average amount would be for lets say the average layer hen ? BR, BO, EE etc? What about Roosters of the same type? They are larger most of the time but don't produce eggs. Same amount of feed ?
Reason I ask about Roosters is have a knack for hatching them out

And how about silkies and bantam turkens? What would their average intake be ? I think we are over feeding too !!! I think one important thing to do if you are going to ration their feedings is to make sure you have an evening feeding especially with winter coming.

Thanks

 

[babyrnlc]

I keep my girls feeder full and it varies how much they eat. If they free range more that day, they eat less (I have to put up the dogs and watch if I let them out.)

We have 20 chickens (11 are 2-4 month old chicks) and I go through a bag of feed a week or every two weeks, it varies. They rarely eat the oyster shells, so it lasts. (I give them egg shells cooked and crumbled when we use the eggs), they like that a lot.

We also give them scraps and left overs sometime.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:

 

[rjlanger2]

I am by no means anywhere as experienced as many of the people posting.... that said.... my understanding is approximately 1.5 lbs of feed per hen per week. I have 9 hens (13.5 lbs / week) and go through a 50 lb bag about every 4 weeks. I do mix some oyster shell into the feed and scratch is used as a treat, but not too much so their diet is consistent.

I don't know if that matches the numbers posted earlier, but this consumption level has been very consistent for two years. I obviously don't have a huge operation where the feed costs are extremely critical, I just like to know about how much the eggs "cost" so I can make sure I'm at least attempting to cover the "production" expenses.

I do keep track of how much I spend on feed, etc. but try not to get too caught up in the details. I have thoroughly enjoyed raising and keeping them ..... and giving away, selling, and especially eating the results of their efforts!

There aren't that many things that can top an egg that was laid 5 minutes before you eat it!

 

[chick007]

i agrre with pegram, i feed mine morning and evening, as i was taught by my grandmother. she raised them commercially. if they need more feed gradualy increase. you really will be surprised how much they waste. my 14 are fully confined and i go through about 10 pounds a week.

 

[IRChicken]

Quote:
saladin and Mac in Wisco have been educating us on the correct amounts to feed chickens on a daily basis.
I had made a post about what one farmer stated she feeds her chickens, which mathematically came out to 12-13 oz of feed per bird. This was incorrect.
Her run is an open air run in British Columbia, Canada. She must be feeding other animals along with her chickens to go through 12-13 oz of feed, is what Mac in Wisco and saladin are saying.

I was fishing for valid information that I was having trouble finding on the internet and hope I have not created any great confusion.

To clarify:
4 ounces of feed per adult bird per day.
10 adult birds will consume 75 lbs. of feed per month, based on 4 oz a day.
You would need 2 bags @ 50 lb each to feed your adult chickens for 3 months costing approximately $30 @$15 per bag.

Cheers

 

[saladin]

IR,

Actually, my one line post was what I considered just a simply answer to a simply question. Your question was very good, very basic; so, I did the same. I couldn't give you any links because I didn't learn about chickens via the Internet. I learned about chickens from having raised them my whole life, poultry science classes and text. Currently, I have around 400 chickens, but the number can be double that or more during hatching season. I guess I'm just use to saying something without having to always give justification for the answer. No harm intended.

I spend a lot of time with my birds as do my sons. I was going to post some pictures of my birds, but couldn't get photobucket to cooperate with me. Go to the Oriental threads and others and you'll see them there.

I usually have one or more articles in each issue of Backyard Poultry. Some of those articles also have pictures of my birds.

 

[FrenchToast]

Quote:

WOW I don't know what I was thinking when I posted that !! I must have beenr real tired !!!

Anyway 3-4 oz a day. Any idea what a silkie would consume ? Or should I say should consume. I'm glad I found this thread. I think we have been feeding way way to much at least my feed bill says so !!!

Any idea how much Guineas should get ?

I think OP should edit first post. Would prevent alot of confusion !!