feed vs. kitchen scraps

[ChickenCanoe]

To each his own. Whatever works for you. With 7+ flocks of various numbers, I use bulk feeders. It would be too much time and effort to measure feed for them. And since they don't overeat, there's no point.

 

[cubalaya]

yep, you do what works for you and I will continue to do what works for me. chickens do overeat and waste feed if you let them. I rendered some lard today and gave my chickens some cracklins(kitchen scraps). not sure what the protein levels of cracklins is but the way that the chickens were eating them up, I think I will get a few extra eggs in the morning.

 

[silkymom]

my girls and big boy, eat layer feed but we give all veggie scraps, ans bread and anything else we have they cant wait for their treat, they still eat all layer, and oystershel, they like there treat every night before bed,

 

[centrarchid]

For me they do over eat. For a given maximal rate of egg or bone development that have a minimum amount of feed required for that. They will eat more than that minimum which translates into heavier birds which is not advantageous for hens in lay. Birds for eating that can be good when more fat on carcass desired. When it comes to maintenance needs, they will over eat when I want to keep birds in ideal physical weight for show or longevity concerns.

 

[Pennychickens1]

I work in a school kitchen and give my chicken everything the kids do not eat.i hate waste. But my chicken do go for the meat first every time they love it.they get fruit daily and salad making.they have layer pellet to eat anytime they want .but boy when they see me with a box they get so happy to see me.they hate winter break no school lunch compost.and the kids see the waste and are doing better at how much they take.so it's a win win .