Do my hens have to have constant feed when free ranging

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gagelora

gagelora

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I free range my hens and i only feed them 2-3 times a day when i free range them and they are five months and not laying does this have something do do with them not laying
 
Well, I don't free-range so I will only say that if your hens are laying age you should be feeding layer feed at this stage of the game. You stated you only feed them 2-3 times a day....I'm confused...don't you have a feeder in their coop for them? Have you seen the tell-tale signs that your hens are getting ready to start laying...such as when you touch their back they do the "squat" ???
 
Yeah i have a feeder but i only put like pound and a half in it at a time and i dont touch the
In the back
 
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Welcome to BYC!

I don't free range my birds either. I leave food out for my birds all the times so they can free feed. What breeds do you have? Some breeds don't start laying til the are 6 or more months old. They will need plenty of protein to be good layers. Some free rangers will lay out in the field too, so you might want to get them trained to lay in the coop when they start laying. That way you don't have to go on an easter egg hunt every time you want eggs.

Good luck with your flock and welcome to ours!
 
And when i get my hand close to them the run off
 
Red sex link brown leghorns and new Hampshire reds
 
gagelora said:
And when i get my hand close to them the run off
Click to expand...
Persistence is the payoff. Don't be afraid of them...trust me, they're just as afraid of you, too!!
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You might try sitting outside with them with some treats in your hand and just talk softly to them. That's what I do....gosh, if my neighbors heard/saw me baby-talking to my chickens they'd probably have me committed!! It isn't something that happens overnight...be persistent. Every day go out there with some kind of treat hold it in your hand and slowly stretch your hand out (down at their level) and they'll come up to you. Don't become alarmed and frightened if they "peck" at your hand, after all...they're just chickens doing their chicken-thing, eh?!!!
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If they peck at you it's not because they're being mean, they're wanting that treat!

One day one of them might just hop up on your lap and want to be petted....I have one that does!! Pure chicken bliss for me! Wishing you well, and let us know how it goes!
 
Ok and thank you for the advice i will try that
 

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