Can I overfeed & more ???

[harewizard]

Hi all,
Recently aquired a small coop and 3 laying Leghorns. I've been reading alot on the care and feeding; so much so I'm confusing myself.

If you could give me feedback on these couple a questions, I would be grateful. They are laying an egg per day. (3 eggs per day total)

I am currently feeding them laying crumbles with oyster shell mixed in. About 3 cups a day. I also give them handfuls of chickweed, grass clippings, spinach, worms and grubs.( I am currently working outside alot and find stuff to treat them with)

1) they seem to want to eat all day. Am I feeding them enough? Can I overfeed them, or will they stop when full?

2) I printed out the treat list. I read somewhere that giving laying hens fruit will stop egg production. And can take some time to resume after stopping. True? Any comments?

3) Mother Earth News says the eggs do not have to be refrigerated. They can stay out (on the counter, pantry... in a box...) for weeks. Again, I've read to refrigerate ASAP. Comments?

Thanks for reading and I'll be looking for your comments!

LC

 

[gritsar]

Chickens don't have the tendency to overeat as some other animals do. I keep feed available to mine at all times. I offer supplements like oyster shell seperately because they do tend to bill out their feed looking for the other stuff, which wastes feed.
Mine get fruit on a regular basis. Haven't had a decrease in laying.
To refrigerate or not is a personal choice. I refrigerate because my eggs are fertile and we keep our house pretty warm.

 

[new-roo]

Mine have food 24/7 I keep the oyster shell seperate, they really shouldnt need it if you are feeding layer crumbles, but I give mine free choice if they choose to have extra. They will eat all day, but they dont seem to fill up. They tend to scratch and eat all day then fill up at the feeder at the end of the day.

 

[SandraChick]

1) they seem to want to eat all day. Am I feeding them enough? Can I overfeed them, or will they stop when full?
That's normal...they eat, rest, eat, rest, eat rest etc. You can't really overfeed them unless they're broilers.

2) I printed out the treat list. I read somewhere that giving laying hens fruit will stop egg production. And can take some time to resume after stopping. True? Any comments?
THat can be true...but it's more for people who have orchards and the chickens overeat the fruit and not enough protein.....giving them your leftover fruit along with other things won't stop them from laying

3) Mother Earth News says the eggs do not have to be refrigerated. They can stay out (on the counter, pantry... in a box...) for weeks. Again, I've read to refrigerate ASAP. Comments?
That's true...the U.S. is one of the few countries that refridgerates eggs. You don't want them in a place that's hot, but a cool spot is fine. Puting them in the fridge lets you keep them for 2-3 months...but who really needs that!

Sandra

 

[harewizard]

Thanks for the responses & Happy Easter!