Can I overfeed my chickens?

[woodmort]

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Agree--it aint how often or how much it is what's in it. Aside from some Cornish X's I've never had a laying chicken or rooster, for that matter, get fat from having food 24/7 but I also stay away from high carb stuff like corn.

 

[kla37]

I free feed my chickens. I just keep their feeder full all the time, so they can eat whenever they want. They do get treats and bugs but not too much. They never seem frantic or piggish about food, it might be because they know it's always there if they want it. My dog is the same way, she always has food in the bowl, but never eats too much and isn't fat at all.

 

[dogdollar]

I don't get the people that say you can overfeed your chickens.
I fill up my feeders with fresh, first-quality food. Are you saying they can, and will, overeat and that it will impact their egg production? What if they free-range? Should I lock them up without food after they eat a certain number of grasshoppers?

DD

 

[7L Farm]

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No . Grasshoppers are definitely one of the best food source for chickens. I've always been confused when reading about what to feed chickens. I read don't feed laying pellets till they lay. I live near a co-op that bags its own feed & was told by the person that sold me my chicks to buy 17% laying pellets from this co-op called Producers in College Station Texas. Then I started reading on BYC no don't feed em laying pellets. So I went back to Producers & asked about the feed I was using & they informed me to feed my hens which I bought for laying purposes the 17% laying pellets till their 50 weeks old. This being said that's what I've been doing. Anyway my thoughts are there's so many different types of feed out there that everyone is confused.I know I am. I also as recommended have provided my chicks with oyster shell which they nibble on. I do believe moderation is the key when feeding treats such as yogurt , cottage cheese, boss, scratch, etc. By the way I'm no expert but I'm not opposed to gain more knowlege to continue on thru lifes challenges.

 

[woodmort]

Let me see if I can simplify things. Ideally the starter grower, flock raiser, layer, oyster shell and other commercial foods would be a supplement to what chickens are getting as they wander around foraging. However, and for a variety of reasons, most people can't or won't do that. Therefore, for most chickens their diet consists of what their owner gives them. While they won't overeat from a normal chicken feed diet, adding a bunch of fat producing supplements to it can, possibly, cause problems. So can you overfeed them? Yes and no, it depends on what you're giving them but keeping a commercial, chicken feed diet in mash, crumble or pellet form in front of them 24/7 is not overfeeding.

 

[lisa lisk]

I was wondering about over feeding myself. I am wanting mine to lay eggs. So I started to feed more laying pellets. I do not know if I am doing the right thing or not. My birds free rang. They do prefer to eat on the free rang - bugs grass what ever, and they do leave laying feed in there feed trough.. I am still puzzeled.. I do not have much money I need to get the most I can out of their feed. Should I give them all the laying feed they will eat??? or what ??? Still confused in IA

 

[xxSonja]

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excellent explanation.
Its not the Quantity its the Quality of the feed.

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

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Layer pellets will not 'make' your hens lay...they lay when their internal clocks tell them to. BUT you must provide feed that will help their bodies to be healthy enough to produce the eggs. I offer BOSS but as far as fat, I limit it and try to be sure they get enough protein and calcium. At present I'm using Flock Raiser instead of Layena pellets because my stinking girls would not eat the pellets, just billed them out!

Good luck.

 

[lisa lisk]

Thank you. Mine like multi flock, made by kent feeds we can not get layena here. I went on a trip to get some new chicks while I was out of SW IA I bought some Layena. Guess what they do not like it.

I knew a lady once that only feed her chickens scratch and they layed eggs.

I want my chickens to be happy and healthy. They have always seem to be! my hubby and I set out side in the evenings and watch them. They are more fun than any thing. He has them eat out of his hand....

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

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That lady may have let her hens free range where they could get their protein from bugs, etc.

DH and I sit in the run and watch the girls often...much better than what is offered on our cable and yes, they love to beg and eat from our hands. DH often says he can't believe how much/often they are eating...I tell him they are hogs with feathers!

Reminds me...I gotta get back out and check to see who has finished laying for me. Came in to see if someone emailed their phone # so DH can drop off some canna rhizomes I am giving away on FreeCycle.