Feed for 3-4 birds

[spacetygrss]

Hi, I'm new.

I'm planning on getting 3 or 4 chickens for pets/eggs (still researching the breeds). My question is, what do you all with small herds feed your chickens? I can't imagine buying a 50+lb bag of feed for such a small number of chickens. I plan to feed them chicken feed, let them scratch around for a bit each day and supplement with fruits/veggie scraps as I have them available (We love our veggies here!).

Thanks.

 

[GardeNerd]

I have split feed with a neighbor, that also has a small flock, in the past. Many feed stores will also sell smaller quantities than 50#. The price per lb. is higher, but you can buy it by the lb. at the the two different feed stores I frequent. Small flocks are the norm around here, rather than the exception.

Edited to add:
Before my neighbor had chickens, and when I ordered from a hatchery with a group of folks, I split feed with one of the other folks that I ordered with. I organized the group order, and I found the people via craiglist and BYC. Since most hatcheries had a minimum of 25 chicks, and the feed store closest to me had really high prices for chicks ($4.99 to $12.99) it worked out best.

 

[forest42]

hi there spacetygrss, i'm also new here, and i'm getting 3 pullets this coming week. I decided that i didn't want to deal with chicks, and instead found 3 almost ready to lay hens. I have had similar types of questions. I bought the big bag of feed because it was all i could find, it was only $12 at TSC, so hopefully it doesn't go bad! good luck to you!

 

[sillybirds]

They may eat more feed than you think. My 6 chickens don't take much more than a month to go through a 50 lb. bag. I imagine 3 or 4 chickens could go through 50 lbs. in a couple months, probably closer to 2 months.

 

[Sammimom]

I have three hens and buy the 50# bag, I just keep it stored in the garage in a metal garbage can to keep mice out.