Amount of feed?

[llombardo]

Wow they really don't touch it. maybe the food is bad?? Does it smell mouldy?

A chicken should eat about 1/3 lb food per day. So they should be cleaning that 2.5 lb feeder out in 2 days.

My chickens get scratch, veggies, fruit, and free range grass and bugs and even then the lot of them (33 chickens of which 13 are 3 months old) eat about 8-10 lbs feed per day. I usually clean out a 50lb bag in a week.

Maybe the chickens are being fed more than you know. Is there anyone else who gives them food?

Nobody else here to feed them. They didn't go through much when they were little either. The 4 smaller ones that are 8 weeks now seem to be about the same. They are also growing and healthy. Good poop. They are outside too, no panting and they are also full of energy.

 

[llombardo]

And there is shade available all day in different areas.

 

[Jessamyn Falk]

How much feed should they go through? Mine are going through very little. I got a 2.5 pound feeder, filled it up 1/2 way 3 weeks ago and it's still got plenty of feed in there. I see them picking at it, but they are mostly pecking in the enclosure. There 4 chickens and they are now 4 months. They get some scratch in the morning--not a lot. Most days they get a healthy treat--watermelon, grapes, dandelions but also a very small amount. They are growing, happy and seem healthy. I guess I'm worried they are not getting all the key nutrients if they aren't eating the feed. I do give them fermented feed, but haven't for about a week now. I got a batch going. The ducks, same thing. They are about the same age and they have a small bucket that is I beliece 2 quarts and it lasts about 3 days. They get even less treats then the chickens. Again they are growing, happy and seem healthy.

Can they get all the nutrients to keep them healthy from the ground? I know there is plenty of crawly things in that enclosure--I saw plenty when I was putting it up.

What type of feed are you giving them? When we gave our girls mixed seeds they only ate a little and littered the ground with the rest. We eventually went to a standard feed that they cannot pick apart.

 

[aart]

The heat only started here within the last 3 days. It's raining now and the temp dropped like 10 degrees.

Oooo hope it makes it here soon!!!

 

[llombardo]

What type of feed are you giving them? When we gave our girls mixed seeds they only ate a little and littered the ground with the rest. We eventually went to a standard feed that they cannot pick apart.

They are on a All Flock.

 

[Jessamyn Falk]

That one should be good. If the eggs are looking good and their combs are nice and bright I wouldn't worry.

 

[llombardo]

That one should be good. If the eggs are looking good and their combs are nice and bright I wouldn't worry.

They just turned 4 months--no eggs yet. I think we are getting close with one of the female ducks.

 

[llombardo]

This is them last week

 

[dunnmom]

Eh. Maybe they just aren't big eaters. Maybe they are getting a lot of foraged food, so are eating less pellet. I wouldn't worry unless you notice weight loss, or symptoms of illness. They don't look too skinny to me, or anything like that. By the way, mine eat less in the hot months, and more in the cold months.

 

[aart]

Mine have not been eating much in the heat...have seen that before too.
I dole out feed daily to kinda keep track.