don't feed free range chickens during the day???

[gypsyroseplus6]

I have feed down 24/7 for my flock but was told I should not feed free range chickens during the day. Opinions???

 

[rapturecidal]

most free range chickens can forage. and they are pretty good about it too. but you can feed them anytime you want also. they will eat it when they feel like it. and they sleep at night. so more than likely it will be in the daytime.

 

[Bine]

Oh, not a good idea, I think. Fresh water and a layer/grain mix should be availible for the chickens all day. For the some reasons:
In a normal garden chicken will find much nutition but not all they need to produce eggs constantly, so they need layer ration to prevent laying problems. The chickens on the bottom of the chicken society often can only eat when the upper once are full, so if you don't want some go hungry set up a feeder with enough food for the hole day.
Even most chicken friendly garden has not alway everything they need. In spring they may find bugs and gras but no grain, in fall they have will have grain but not enough bugs and in winter it will be almost impossible for them to find anything.
If the have only a short time to get full they may begin to fight about the ration.
So set up some feeders in the morning and control if the feeders are empty in the evening and if the birds have a full crop. If the feeder is still full reduce the feed, if the feeder is empty and the birds have thin necks you feed some more.

 

[gypsyroseplus6]

Oh, not a good idea, I think. Fresh water and a layer/grain mix should be availible for the chickens all day. For the some reasons:
In a normal garden chicken will find much nutition but not all they need to produce eggs constantly, so they need layer ration to prevent laying problems. The chickens on the bottom of the chicken society often can only eat when the upper once are full, so if you don't want some go hungry  set up a feeder with enough food for the hole day.
Even  most chicken friendly garden has not alway everything they need. In spring they may find bugs and gras but no grain, in fall they have will have grain but not enough bugs and in winter it will be almost impossible for them to find anything.

If the have only a short time to get full they may begin to fight about the ration. 
So set up some  feeders in the morning and control if the feeders are empty in the evening and if the birds have a full crop. If the feeder is still full reduce the feed, if the feeder is empty and the birds have thin necks you feed some more. 

 

I always have made sure my birds had feed 24/7 and never heard of not feeding free range during the day before talking to a few people. My birds free rangers are not laying just yet. We have a not her month or two to go

 

[Folly's place]

A good balanced diet and water should be available at all times; they will eat less of it when hunting bugs, but it needs to be there. We don't have wild jungle fowl living in southeast Asia, and it's fantasy to think our modern high producing chickens can do well without a good diet. Mary

 

[rapturecidal]

to better explain what i said,
i have a constantly full oil pan of water under my apple tree witch is like the Holy ground for my chickens, they get all our left overs, and there is so much food out there they are all fat. they eat it whenever they feel like it. bugs and birds come in my yard and the chicks eat them too (the bugs). they have half an acre to do whatever they want in.

 

[gypsyroseplus6]

I have 20 chickens on 12 acres of land both wooded and field. (Like i said I always fed 24/7.)

to better explain what i said, 
i have a constantly full oil pan of water under my apple tree witch is like the Holy ground for my chickens, they get all our left overs, and there is so much food out there they are all fat. they eat it whenever they feel like it. bugs and birds come in my yard and the chicks eat them too (the bugs). they have half an acre to do whatever they want in. 

 

[gypsyroseplus6]

 

[gypsyroseplus6]

 

[Mr Beaks]

gypsyroseplus6, sounds like you're doing just fine doing what you're doing . I'm glad you checked here 1st before pulling up the feed as that would've been a bad idea. Also, your property is absolutely gorgeous! I am envious as we are in drought and our beautifully landscaped property is no longer green...or beautiful. Those are some lucky chickies you've got there!