Feeding my chickens

[kbilo31384]

I just let my chickens feed on layer feed when ever they want. My husband throws them a hand full of scatch about 3 times a week and i have 16 chickens. Is this all ok, can they just eat what they want when they want on layer feed? we sometimes have water melon and lettuce left over we throw to them now and then, but very rarely. is this ok too? They seem to love our scraps but I try not to give them to much. But we sure go though a lot of food. We go through a 40lb bag a week doesnt this seem like excessive amount...but then I might mention we have two ducks in with them too. They have free roam inside and outside 24 hrs a day, as the outside is netted so they can come and go as they wish. these are my first chickens ever. 4 are laying we bought last year, the others are new chicks this year.

 

[Y N dottes]

I feed my hens a limited amount of layer feed along with all the extra scrap fruits and vegetables. I put about 1-2 cup per hen of layer feed in the feeder everyday. They might or might not eat all of it by night depending on the day and how much other organic food I had for them.