Best time to Feed chickens?

[hylandcreek]

Hey All,

So I had been having a problem with my chickens laying; I had been getting 18 or 19 eggs a day, out of 20 hens. Then, once I took the rooster out(he has a sore on his vent area still, so still separated) I noticed egg production went downhill(getting anywhere from 5 to 8 eggs a day!) At first I thought it was stress, because the rooster was gone? Anyways, I started to cook their food, so it's double its size now when I give it to them. Within a day of starting this, the eggs have doubled and they seem more full! So I am happy with the results, I think they are too!

My question is, when is the best time to feed them? What I have been doing is feeding them their cooked food at dinner time(5/6ish at night), and by morning there is still some left over- I might throw them some scratch(but they don't seem too interested, not like before). It seems to be working, but just wanted some thoughts on this. I have never cooked chicken feed before; I have read about fermenting their feed, I dont have the time/patience for that right now, I might try it later on down the road, I Just have too much going on right now.

Thanks so much!

 

[dindonuffin]

What do you cook for them?

 

[waddles99]

Chickens should always have 24/7 access to food, clean water, and oyster shells. What exactly are you feeding them and for what purpose? It sounds like you are overcomplicating things. Why not just leave out chicken feed in a feeder constantly? Chickens aren't supposed to have set meals like humans have, they will peck around constantly for the entire day.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I'd like to know what you're cooking for them too?

I do FF, LOVE IT. I would think having to cook for them every day is more work then FF. I feed mine in the mornings & top of between 1 - 3pm when they are older. As chicks I feed about 3 - 4x day but alot less wasting of feed. When I "lock" them up in the evenings I toss some dry feed on the ground, they got their water but no feed dish, they get fed when I wake (7 - 730am) and even then aren't starving. I let them out into the yard (fenced) to grub when I'm home usually in the afternoons.

 

[hylandcreek]

My hens do have access to food 24/7 in their feeders and fresh water(changed daily)- they do not seem interested in it; they peck at it, eat some of it, but they are not too excited about it. When I toss it onto the ground, they waste alot. But when I cook it, they eat every last bite.

I don't believe I am over complicating things; I am just trying to find out what they need, and I am not sure why they are laying more eggs when the food is cooked for them? I am glad at the amount of eggs I am getting now, thats for sure!

I am feeding them chicken scratch, laying pellets, and the oyster shells. (and of course scraps from the kitchen and garden, lawn clippings when I mow)- As for cooking the feed, It only takes 1/2 hour on the stove to cook it at a simmer, and I let it sit for a few hours to cool down and it doubles in size.

 

[ChickNanny13]

If that works for you great, I've often read (BYC) to wet the feed for certain situations when feeding chicks/chickens. Now that you mentioned this issue (more eggs with cooked feed) maybe that's why I'm getting an egg a day from my pullets on FF. They're 5 months old (2 EEs & 2 RIR) when they started laying and wasn't expecting that! Nicely surprised.

FF is similar to what you're doing....I started with several scoops of feed in a plastic container with water, left it for several days, mixing daily and adding water as it swells. It starts to bubble & give off that sourdough smell (yummy). Then I scoop to feed with a strainer and add more feed to the mix as I need. So maybe chickens prefer "soft" feed?

 

[Chickguy74]

Chickens should always have 24/7 access to food, clean water, and oyster shells. What exactly are you feeding them and for what purpose? It sounds like you are overcomplicating things. Why not just leave out chicken feed in a feeder constantly? Chickens aren't supposed to have set meals like humans have, they will peck around constantly for the entire day.

Chickens require a certain amount of feed a day, give or take according to breed and size. Many people do not leave food out 24/7 as they can overeat and waste. Is this not correct?

 

[TexasSam]

Chickens should have access to food anytime they are awake

 

[rosemarythyme]

If possible you don't want to leave food out 24/7 as it can attract pests, but otherwise most chickens should have access to food during waking hours as they can regulate their own intake.

 

[TexasSam]

If possible you don't want to leave food out 24/7 as it can attract pests, but otherwise most chickens should have access to food during waking hours as they can regulate their own intake.

I use hardware cloth the only pest I get are bugs but the chickens like that. One time A mouse but they eat him too