Feeder capacity for 10 LF hens

[debid]

What's a reasonable hanging feeder capacity for 10 hens? I don't want food sitting and getting stale but I also don't want them running out too often. I saw an 11-pound unit at the feed store that looked like it would fit nicely under the nextboxes (so they couldn't perch on it!) but I wondered if that's big enough or if I'd need two that size to be able to go away for the weekend without them running out?

 

[teach1rusl]

I'd say an 11 pound feeder would serve 10 hens just fine, especially if a few days capacity is what you're looking for. Think of a 50lb sack of layer feed and how long it lasts you...that feeder holds around 1/5 of a sack of feed.
On the other hand, I'm a fan of having more than one feeder available anyhow - to make sure birds lower on the pecking order get chances to eat their fill, so I'd probably opt for two smaller feeders myself, maybe the 7 pounders.

But the single 11 lb one should work.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

We use a metal hanging 12 pound feeder in a pen with 9 hens and two roosters. If I don't refill it daily (Which I do most days) it would last them 3 -4 days. These are all Orloff large fowl. In our bantam pens a 7 pound feeder lasts about the same amount of time.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Just because a feeder is large doesn't mean you have to fill it full

I have a 30 lb feeder for 10 birds right now, but I have had as many as 25 using it at one time.