another how much to feed thread

[hollyhock]

my wife and i cannot agree on how much to feed our six large chickens, i say 1 1/2 to 2 pound layena a day plus 4 hours free range and some snacks, my wife says all the layena they can eat which is considerable

 

[teach1rusl]

Most folks that I know free feed, even many who free range (I'm one who does both). Chickens will not overeat layer feed; they will eat what they need. In theory, 1.5 - 2 cups of food per day should be enough, but if they're eating more than that, then they need more, IMO.

 

[americanvalkyrie]

Chickens are very self-regulating eaters, if you make the right stuff available to them. I just keep a neverending feeder outside, with my free-range chickens. Of course they eat the greens and treats first, but that's mostly because they've devoured most of the greens in my yard, and whatever I bring to them is now a treat. But if they've had tons of greens lately, they'll ignore those and eat more laying feed.

 

[hollyhock]

Most folks that I know free feed, even many who free range (I'm one who does both). Chickens will not overeat layer feed; they will eat what they need. In theory, 1.5 - 2 cups of food per day should be enough, but if they're eating more than that, then they need more, IMO.

Thank you for your feedback. wife 1 husband 0

Chickens are very self-regulating eaters, if you make the right stuff available to them. I just keep a neverending feeder outside, with my free-range chickens. Of course they eat the greens and treats first, but that's mostly because they've devoured most of the greens in my yard, and whatever I bring to them is now a treat. But if they've had tons of greens lately, they'll ignore those and eat more laying feed.

Thank you. wife 2. first i'll up the greens

 

[nakstk]

I keep a feeder with food out all the time for them. I have 3 home made PVC feeders, that I keep grit, feed and oyster shell in their coop. I know it's a bit of an over kill but my chicken only get to free range with I open the run door and I don't want them to ever run out of food.

 

[Auscal]

I also keep a feeder with food out for my chickens all the time. I worked out, over a period of two months, that my birds (RIR cross, delawares, barred rocks) average 3.5 oz of layer pellets each per day. They free range most of the day but on very poor "pasture" (mostly dirt, with a little grass).

 

[devora]

Food 24/7.

Wife 5? 6?

Oh, just give in and get a feeder. For one thing, you don't have to go out and feed them daily once you do that.

Lazy Man's Chickens, title of my upcoming book.

 

[Bresseman]

This is a question that I now am struggling with. I free range my flock of 30 mixed layers and young Bresse birds. I feed fermented 50/50 feed comprised or 50% Flock Raiser and 50% scratch grains as my hens are not yet in lay. I feed once in the morning with the idea that the rest of the day my flock can supplement with what they find in the acre yard I have. I feed about 8lbs of fermented feed daily.

The problem I am having is that I can't enter the back yard without being mobbed. It's a serious problem as they are under feet and often get stepped on if I'm not careful. They will even go as far as flying up to my shoulders and pecking at my hands. They are totally unruly and drive me crazy.

Am I feeding enough? Is there a way to feed fermented grain all day without it spoiling and or attracting flies etc? Should I offer dried rations as free food the rest of the day and spoil the great gut health that my birds get from fermented grain?

Lot's of questions from the newbie! Thanks for any help!

--Drew

 

[jockeyeba]

My girls freerange all day & the only thing I feed them is some scratch when they come back from the woods & they produce fantastic tasting eggs.