chickens appetite dury cold weather

[samsr]

Lately my flock has nearly doubled their food intake. A five pound feeder tube (home made pipe feeder) lasted them 3 days. Normally this would last them 6 to 7 days. This change happened when the weather got cold. (below freezing) Is this normal? I wuld think so, because they need to generate more heat for their bodies and thus need more food. I am just trying to get some confirmation or some imput form people on the site.

 

[flockoffour]

I would think so, because their food has a good amount of protein, and their bodies work harder to digest it, and that's what heats them up. Giving them some mealworms or warm oatmeal can also help in keeping them warm.

 

[Fred's Hens]

They can no longer find nearly as much grass, nutritious bugs, worm, etc while they are wandering about. That's our experience here, as fall deepens and winter approaches. Additionally, yes, they'll need more calories to keep them warm during winter. Feed costs almost double from spring/summer.

 

[mickey328]

The shorter days and cooler temps trigger their bodies to use more energy for maintaining their bodies, so they'll increase their food intake and generally egg production will be lowered. You can supplement their food with various other things like cheese, yogurt, cooked beans and meat scraps (for protein) as well as greens like spinach, chard and kale...these will help maintain those lovely golden yolks. I notice that on days when we give them lots of "other stuff" they eat less of their feeds...often by about 25%.

 

[samsr]

Thanks for the confirmation. That is what I thought. Good thig feed was on sale at Big R this week end.