Do chickens eat significantly less in the winter?

[Lucy4]

I realize they're not as active. But I'm concerned at how little my girls are eating. Normally, I refill their feeder every 3 days. It's been 6 days and it's still half full. ??

They happily eat greens and scratch I throw in the run. I looked at the pellets and smelled them; they don't seem spoiled. Is it just normal for them to be eating less?

All seem to be laying fine and behavior is typical.

Thanks.

 

[Luke0987654321]

well my hens do the oposite, they eat more,
i think it is because in the summer they dont need the extra energy, and they dont ned to be protected from the cold,
and in the winter they eat tuns

 

[Marlinchaser]

Mine eat more, mine freerange, so most of the time they get bugs/seeds on thier own, when there are none to be had thier consumption rate goes up not down. I wish mine would eat less in the winter. I think they eat about the same all year, just the source changes.

 

[vstoltzfus]

Mine eat more, too.

 

[Lucy4]

Well... what does that mean then? If mine are supposed to be eating more, are they ill? Should I be concerned?

 

[Thortherooster]

they eat more because they are cold and food helps kepp them warm...

 

[gumpsgirl]

Are they getting a lot of extra snacks/scratch from you?

 

[sonew123]

Mine eat twice as much! do you think they are sick?

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Gumpsgirl has a good point.

If they're getting a large amount of scratch and treats they will ignore their regular food, which isn't good. Scratch and treats should be only treats, even in winter.

Or maybe you have a helpful elf feeding them?

 

[Lucy4]

I give them a cup or so of scratch a day. Is that too much? I have four 9 month old pullets.