Do we need to watch....

[Chicken Girl]

the food intake? My 12 chickens eat 3 gal of feed in 3-4 days. 9 Leghorns and 3 cochins. Is that to much? I get about 1 egg a day from them. Thanks for the help!

Chicken Girl

 

[Snakeoil]

In the winter months I always allow the hens to eat all they want. In the summer they free range so I feed very little.

 

[gritsar]

I keep layer feed available to my chickens 24/7. I've noticed that I usually have to refill their 30 lb. feeder every other day (to fill it 3/4 full). There are times when I expect their consumption of the feed to increase - during the wintertime when there's less for them to forage for & if they are stuck in their coop for long periods of time during stormy weather, etc.).
If I notice a sudden decrease in the amount of layer feed they are eating, I still keep filling the feeder, but cut back on their treats. The treats they can live without. Their layer feed they need.

 

[Chicken Girl]

ok thanks guys! i was thinking i was feeding them to much! lol But in the summer wen i get mean birds i have to take the food a way at night. Is that ok?


Chicken Girl

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I'm not sure what mean birds are? Are you talking about wild birds? I keep my feeder in the coop, so only my chickens have access to it. When I spread scratch or other treats out on the ground wild birds try to help themselves, but my chickens keep them run off. But, yeah you could take it up at night if necessary. Just replace it asap in the AM.

 

[Chicken Girl]

Quote:
I'm not sure what mean birds are? Are you talking about wild birds? I keep my feeder in the coop, so only my chickens have access to it. When I spread scratch or other treats out on the ground wild birds try to help themselves, but my chickens keep them run off. But, yeah you could take it up at night if necessary. Just replace it asap in the AM.

Oh im sorry i meant meat birds! lol typo! lol MEAT BIRDS! lol

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I'm not sure what mean birds are? Are you talking about wild birds? I keep my feeder in the coop, so only my chickens have access to it. When I spread scratch or other treats out on the ground wild birds try to help themselves, but my chickens keep them run off. But, yeah you could take it up at night if necessary. Just replace it asap in the AM.

Oh im sorry i meant meat birds! lol typo! lol MEAT BIRDS! lol

LOL, okay. I'm sitting here thinking mean birds? We have lots of crows around, but even they are afraid of my chickens!

I'm not familiar with the feeding requirements for the meat birds. You might ask in the meat bird category.