Enough feed?

[Grophens]

I have a small brood of 12 hens. They have access to laying mash all day. Each morning I give them a scoop of cracked corn and a scoop of meal worms. I repeat that in late afternoon. They have a really good sized range area for foraging. Is this enough food? Should I add anything to their diet?

 

[neo71665]

Corn and meal worms are not feed its treats and they will fill up on it instead of eating their feed. Just like a kid ask if they would rather eat a whole meal or a bag of candy.

4 scoops every day is too much treats.

 

[TOR]

Corn and meal worms are not feed its treats and they will fill up on it instead of eating their feed. Just like a kid ask if they would rather eat a whole meal or a bag of candy.

4 scoops every day is too much treats.

x2

 

[U_Stormcrow]

x3

 

[21hens-incharge]

I also say stop those treats.

How big is the scoop?

You say scoop and I picture my scoop that easily holds 6 cups.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

follow up - the usual estimate is something like 1/4# of feed per bird per day. Obviously, the size and activity levels of your birds will affect that rule of thumb, but its a good place to start. Then watch their behaviors. If they eat all the food in 5 min and are begging for more, they need more feed. If they eat for 15 minutes, then walk away with a big pile of food left behind, cut their rations.

With 12 birds, you are looking at 3#/day as a start, your 50# bag should last a bit more than two weeks.

Hope that helps, apologies for the fast response above - it was meant as a place holder, not snark.

 

[Brooks_]

I also say stop those treats.

How big is the scoop?

You say scoop and I picture my scoop that easily holds 6 cups.

Agree. A 1/4 cup scoop (x4) would still be a bit too much. I only scoops I have that are that small are in my kitchen.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Agree. A 1/4 cup scoop (x4) would still be a bit too much. I only scoops I have that are that small are in my kitchen.

Yup. That would be a full cup and that's to much.

 

[Grophens]

I also say stop those treats.

How big is the scoop?

You say scoop and I picture my scoop that easily holds 6 cups.

Actually my scoop is only about 1 cup

 

[Grophens]

follow up - the usual estimate is something like 1/4# of feed per bird per day. Obviously, the size and activity levels of your birds will affect that rule of thumb, but its a good place to start. Then watch their behaviors. If they eat all the food in 5 min and are begging for more, they need more feed. If they eat for 15 minutes, then walk away with a big pile of food left behind, cut their rations.

With 12 birds, you are looking at 3#/day as a start, your 50# bag should last a bit more than two weeks.

Hope that helps, apologies for the fast response above - it was meant as a place holder, not snark.

Thank you!