feeding all day?

[sm0kin]

I feed my chickens a large bucket(gallon size ice cream bucket) of pellet layer feed. It is normally gone pretty quickly. Through out the day they get weeds from the gardens, spoiled fruits and anything that has bugs in it. They always seem very hungry. I am getting one egg a day but its very small. I have 27 chickens in all but they are just coming to age. The one hen has been laying now for about 12 days. should i feed all day? Could it be the lack of feed causing them to not lay and the one to be so small. I fear if i feed all day with a feeder they would kill a 50lbs bag in a day.

 

[gritsar]

When a pullet starts laying her eggs can be very small. They get bigger over time.
My chickens free range all day. I still keep layer feed available to them at all times, in a feeder, day and night. Chickens will eat what they need and won't overeat like a dog would.
Keeping appropriate feed and fresh water available is the best way I know of to ensure consistent egg laying.
ETA: My 13 hens and one roo go thru roughly 3 quarts of layer feed daily, sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less.

 

[monathequeen]

That's not unusual for 24 chicks. I fill a hanging feeder and let my birds eat as much as they want and when they want. I have 14 birds and the cost is about 35.00 a month. I find that if they are malnourished, they will look bad and will not lay as much. I feed my birds "all purpose chicken crumbles"
16 %
I swear to you, I have the most beautiful birds I have ever seen and I owe it to excellent nutrition.....they also free range some. and get treats like corn, lettuce, grapes, watermellon, stale bread, any left overs that only include rice, peas, corn, eggs, crackers, cabbage,

Get the picture ?

 

[cmom]

I have two feeders and waterers for my birds. One of each in their coop and also in their run.

 

[iread]

I have nine birds and they are 23 weeks old. They were eating a 50lb bag every two weeks. A poultry class taught us that we were feeding them waaaaayyyyy too much. Mine were just eating all day + the grass and bugs since they are in a tractor. I've cut down to approx 40 oz of crumbles in the morning and 40 oz in the evening. They are wasting less of the food, for sure! I have also noticed that they are eating more bugs and grass which is good. My egg production has also improved.