Feeding and egg laying time confusion. Help!!

[ashloy]

Hi All,
I feed my girls scraps at about 8:30am each morning then I'm off to work and I don't get home until they are in bed. They are not yet laying but they will start to in about 4 weeks.

Am I feeding them at the wrong time in the morning as I have been lead to believe this is when they lay their eggs?

And if it is how do I feed them scarps during the week when I only see them in the morning?

 

[FireTigeris]

I thought that too- but they will lay the egg when the egg is ready, it takes about 26 hours for the fast breeds (heavy layers) to make an egg, so each day most hens lay one hour later then the day before. Some breeds or individuals will lay the same time each day. each hen will also take time off, a couple days a week for most breeds or they may save up all of their 'PL' days for a little mini vacation (laying 14-16 days in a row then off for 4-5 days).

I don't feed at night/evening because of the possibility of rats/mice- I give table scraps with the normal layer ration in the AM.

Oh and welcome.

When you leave and return check for eggs.

 

[ashloy]

Thank you for the really useful information. Do you give your girls scraps everyday? my dad says I spoil them to much and when I go away and leave then for long periods of time ( for a holiday) they will get stressed out because their routine has changed. What is your opinion?

 

[tweetysvoice]

Not only do I give my chickens scraps every day - but I give it to them twice a day! As long as it's a small amount, I don't see any harm in it. I give them scraps from dinner the night before first thing in the morning (about 6am) - then they eat on bugs and feed during the day - then when I get home about 4p.m. I give them some greens (either kale, salad from the garden, tomatoes, watermelon, peas, corn, etc.. just a small handful per bird - not much at all). I have 7 chickens and three ducks and only give them about 2 cups worth total for the whole group. It's more a "hi! mommy's home" kinda gesture. They fight for who gets what scrap - but I'm not worried. It's just a snack - nothing for them to fill up on.

 

[Presidential]

I feed healthy snacks daily, also. I don't think it gives them "stress" if they don't get their goodies while I am gone, but it sure makes them happy! Chickens aren't that fragile.

There is another thread about "How to catch a chicken". I don't have that problem at all! When my chickens see me, they come running. At night I ring a bell to get them into their coop, followed by a few blueberries. Works like a charm!

Just keep your girls healthy. Feed them when it is convenient for you. Chickens will work into YOUR schedule, not the other way around!

 

[FireTigeris]

They are not 'stressed' when we leave for a week or the weekend... they get just normal layer or starter rations when we are gone.