Are they going to gorge themselves?

[rubyrogue]

I got 14 new hens last night. Previously they were allowed to free range. He gave them scraps every now an again but mostly they ate what they found while grazing. I picked them up last night late as we had to wait until they came in to roost. I put them in the coop last night when i got home and when I checked on them this morning almost all the food was gone so I put more in. When I came home at lunch, It was almost gone again so I just gave them some grass clippings and scratch. After dinner I put more in and they all dove in and inhaled it like they hadnt been fed in days. Will/can they eat too much? Should I limit them until they get used to having food available all the time? They all had very full crops tonight and had trouble going to roost cause they were so heavy. They are on the skinny side I feed 18% layer crumbles.

 

[Choco Maran]

I would say if they are on the skinny side they need the feed. I have never had a problem with my over eating about then they always have food. I don't know if chickens over eat. I would think not. Cause in the wild over eating would not be a good thing , but I'm not sure. Just seems to make since to me.

 

[patnjess]

my chickens free range during the day, and get kitchen scraps, but they have access to the coop all day with layer, and they never over eat. they have the perfect curvy figure