Feeding My Flock

[sekeyslaks]

Hello everyone! I am under a sneaking suspicion that my 18 chickens are eating too much,They look completely healthy and plump and no matter how much I give them they are Always hungry.I think I have a 5lb hanging feeder.I would like to know how much laying pellets I'm supposed to feed per hen.Oh!And the breeds I have are:Buff Orpingtons,Barred Rocks,EE's(one is a rooster),a Rhode Island Red,and a Black Star.Maybe getting some Calf Manna would help?Here's one of the hens!

This is not a recent photo though,so let me know if you need more pictures.

 

[ccr chickens]

If it hey are bored they tend to eat to much, do they free range? Try hanging treats such as a head if cabbage to occupy them

 

[awesome124]

It is natural chicken behavior to eat only the correct amount. Make sure that the feed is free choice and full. Chickens are almost always hungry. A little bit of hunger is good because it makes them want to look for food. I would say do not worry, you're doing fine!

 

[sekeyslaks]

If it hey are bored they tend to eat to much, do they free range? Try hanging treats such as a head if cabbage to occupy them

They are actually very bored,I only free-range them in the colder months because my family has a large veggie garden right in front of the chicken house.During their "jail time"

I always give them something to do,food,I use myself as a toy for them,etc. They're always in a corner of the pen piled on top of each other sticking their heads through the mesh,and some attempt to fly out of it even if they know it's got a lid on it!They are very smart,and I think that makes the boredom worse!

 

[sekeyslaks]

It is natural chicken behavior to eat only the correct amount. Make sure that the feed is free choice and full. Chickens are almost always hungry. A little bit of hunger is good because it makes them want to look for food. I would say do not worry, you're doing fine

I am making sure the feeder is always full!

I'm probably worrying over nothing!Thanks for the help!Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[farm316]

I am making sure the feeder is always full!

I'm probably worrying over nothing!Thanks for the help!Anyone else have any thoughts?

You might want to start commercial feeding them this means, only come out once a day and throw the feed in the coop,. This will encourage them to peck more in the dirt…

 

[Cindy in PA]

18 hens should eat around 6 lbs. a day or 1/3 of a lb. per bird. This is if they get nothing else. You can expect less in the summer at times and more in the winter.

 

[sekeyslaks]

Thanks for the info Cindy!

Anyone else?