Amount of feed?

[medders]

I’ve got 15 barred rock hens that are at the laying age. I’ve had food available for them 24/7 ! They are going through a ton of feed! What would be the right amount to feed them ?

 

[21hens-incharge]

By a ton of feed....how much is it in pounds and over how long?
What feed are you using? Is it a pellets or crumble feed or whole grains?
Is there a lot of waste...feed on the ground?

I lift my feeders in the evening. The birds do not eat at night but pests like mice and rats do.

 

[medders]

I feed laying pellets. I keep feed in a autofeeder and they will eat as mush as I put in there and very little waste on the floor.
Got a PVC pipe feeder , not much they hold but it is always empty !

 

[21hens-incharge]

How many pounds of feed and over what time frame will help here.

Do you see evidence of rodent activity?

an example....
I put 15 pounds of feed in a 3O pound feeder every 5 days for 21 birds and also give 2 pounds of feed in a wet mash every morning.

 

[medders]

How many pounds of feed and over what time frame will help here.

Do you see evidence of rodent activity?

an example....
I put 15 pounds of feed in a 3O pound feeder every 5 days for 21 birds and also give 2 pounds of feed in a wet mash every morning.

 

[medders]

I just need a simple amount of feed pre bird ? Cups or pounds?
They aren’t free range birds.
I try to keep feeders full , because it’s easier on me due to the long hours I work . I feel like they are being gluttons!

 

[Kiki]

About 3/4 cup per bird per day.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Generally they will not overeat.

 

[Folly's place]

If there's not a lot of feed on the floor, and no signs of rodent activity, apparently they are the ones eating it. Do you have oyster shell in a separate container for them?
Are these point of lay pullets or fully grown adults?
Which layer feed are they eating?
Actual pounds used per week would be helpful here.
Mary

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I just need a simple amount of feed pre bird ? Cups or pounds?
They aren’t free range birds.
I try to keep feeders full , because it’s easier on me due to the long hours I work . I feel like they are being gluttons!

Hi there, hope you're enjoying BYC!

Generally speaking for dual purpose birds like Rock with no other access to forage... you will be looking at about 1/4 # of feed per day per bird. Which is around 3.75 # of feed per day if you have no free loading rodents.

Rounding up a little since as pointed out birds only eat to meet their ENERGY requirement... call it 4# per day for simplicity. That's 28# per week which is just over 112# per month.

Rocks are great birds, but not the most feed efficient.

Hope this helps!