Feed Question

[Maximus]

I was wondering if a laying hen needs to be able to get laying pellets all the time? thanks!

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Is you question with regard to whether the food provided needs to be Layer feed all the time, or whether she needs to have access to that feed 24/7?

Generally, they ought to have access to food during daylight hours, but won't care about eating while they are roosting at night...

 

[Maximus]

Thanks I was asking about the 24/7 thing. I just made a homaid auto feeder and was wondering.

 

[gryeyes]

Also, I don't provide "layer" feed to my hens, but feed the entire flock "All Flock" which does not have the added calcium. I do provide crushed oyster shell, free choice, for the laying members of the flock. Any of 'em can get it, but only the layers really partake on a regular basis. That way I don't have to try to segregate young chickens from the feed the layers eat.

 

[LindenLiving]

I have have 13 birds....6 year olds and 7 18 1/2 week olds. I fill three plastic dog dishes 3/4 full with Purina Layer crumbles so they can self feed all day long. I also scatter scratch in the morning into their pen (which is the only a way to get them back into the pen after their morning stroll). I provide a small dish of calcium every couple of days since they tend to spill it on the ground and eat it over the next few days. They are able to free-range for grass and bugs twice a day since they have to be protected from my chicken killing chocolate lab. My family knows that when the dogs are in, the chickens are out! Overall, their feeding is pretty simple.

 

[cmom]

I just keep their feeders full.