An unexpected feeding problem.

[Shadrach]

how about reducing the quantity of commercial feed you offer for breakfast, so they forage more to get the requisite exercise & bugs then? and if they like the FF, I don't see why it wouldn't work (esp if your trad bedtime treats were sprinkled on top) to get them out the trees before bed, esp if you didn't offer mid afternoon food too.

I'll give this a try Perris. I might scrap the mid afternoon feed and do a mix at night as you suggest.

 

[Percheron chick]

I haven't done any side by side comparisons.
The egg layng isn't particularly important to me and you are probably right about the averaging out effect of the foraged food. It's the reduction in exercise that concerns me most.

if you are looking for just a way to increasing foraging, make them a killer compost pile. A mountain of horse poop can keep them busy all winter. Throw some scratch on the pile and it's a new day.
How do you evaluate your feeding program if output isn't part of it? I can feed my Flock scraps all day long. They maintain weight and are content but eggs are nonexistent. poor diet but they spend the day in the compost pile happily scratching away.

 

[Chickassan]

Maybe they're eating more due to the fact that forageing is expending more energy than it is taking in. Chickens won't cut their noses to spite their face, they're smart in that manner. With the temps and the ground becoming more difficult to turn it is a real possibility. Theory could be tested by putting out easy forage or turning soil for them and then see if the food intake decreases.

 

[Shadrach]

if you are looking for just a way to increasing foraging, make them a killer compost pile. A mountain of horse poop can keep them busy all winter. Throw some scratch on the pile and it's a new day.
How do you evaluate your feeding program if output isn't part of it? I can feed my Flock scraps all day long. They maintain weight and are content but eggs are nonexistent. poor diet but they spend the day in the compost pile happily scratching away.

There are two large compost heaps here and they do visit after breakfast.
They've always laid eggs, even the seniors but I've never bothered to measure productivity in any way. Two young hens are laying now.
The feed change wasn't to do with productivity; it was to do with the high calcium with a mixed flock.
I don't feed what you call scratch.

 

[Shadrach]

Maybe they're eating more due to the fact that forageing is expending more energy than it is taking in. Chickens won't cut their noses to spite their face, they're smart in that manner. With the temps and the ground becoming more difficult to turn it is a real possibility. Theory could be tested by putting out easy forage or turning soil for them and then see if the food intake decreases.

I turned some ground this morning just to see if this did encourage them; they went and sat up a tree.
I think part of the problem is now they've decided that they like the commercial feed, as you point out, scratching for bugs when they already have a full stomach seems a bit pointless. It's a really stupid problem. For some it may not seem like a problem at all, but one of the reasons they tend to keep well and live a decent length of time I believe is due to the exercise and the varied diet they've had.
I'm trying the suggestion made by Perris and I'll see if they get out and about more this afternoon.

 

[Dona Worry]

Just let them eat as much of the bagged feed as they want, and stop worrying about it. There is no need to micromanage their weight.
I like offering free choice or as close to it as I can for 2 reasons. The first, it allows for more relaxed feeding habits. An animal that has never known hunger will eat when hungry, and not gorge the second you put it out. The second, it means the weakest bird in your flock will always have something to eat.
If you get too caught up in managing for the average bird and keeping your average bird thin, your weaker birds will fall behind.
Let them eat as much as they want, and forage if and when they feel like it.

 

[Chickassan]

The ones here forage all day but there is always a bowl of crumble out if anyone wants it. Iv'e noticed though when it is always available and the novelty has worn off they eat less of it. If for some reason i'm forced to change feed the bowl is emptied for a few days but then it stops. Maybe not the best solution but you could see if they wear themselves out on it.

I turned some ground this morning just to see if this did encourage them; they went and sat up a tree.
I think part of the problem is now they've decided that they like the commercial feed, as you point out, scratching for bugs when they already have a full stomach seems a bit pointless. It's a really stupid problem. For some it may not seem like a problem at all, but one of the reasons they tend to keep well and live a decent length of time I believe is due to the exercise and the varied diet they've had.
I'm trying the suggestion made by Perris and I'll see if they get out and about more this afternoon.

 

[Dona Worry]

The ones here forage all day but there is always a bowl of crumble out if anyone wants it. Iv'e noticed though when it is always available and the novelty has worn off they eat less of it. If for some reason i'm forced to change feed the bowl is emptied for a few days but then it stops. Maybe not the best solution but you could see if they wear themselves out on it.

Yeah, mine hardly eat any food on the days they can free range-- and they'll go FAR! I've found these dumb birds all over, once they made it to our parlor barn, almost 1/3 of a mile away!
Since it's been such wretched weather they are taking full advantage of the amenities, and consuming a lot more food.

 

[Molpet]

I wait several hours after i let mine out before I feed them, if forage is available. Otherwise they take a nap after they eat the feed...

 

[Dona Worry]

I wait several hours after i let mine out before I feed them, if forage is available. Otherwise they take a nap after they eat the feed...

I'm able to leave the food and water in the coop overnight, so by the time I let them out in the morning they have eaten as much as they want and are ready to roll!