Feeding too much reduces foraging?

[Outta Here]

Here is my flock "foraging" an hour after I let them out. Do any of you restrict food (feed only at night, etc.) for better foraging? Or do you think they just are great foragers and are full after an hour? They LOVE to hang out on my porch (hide under the chaise lounge when hawks screech) and seem to spend more time there than out on the grass and native area.

 

[Outta Here]

I think that it's the nature of chickens to forage for a while, rest and digest for a while, forage for a while, rest and digest for a while, ....

Hey, you're right! Forage ten minutes, poop on the lawn furniture an hour, forage ten minutes, poop on the lawn furniture an hour, forage....

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I feed once daily, in the evenings (to ensure they sleep with full crops, give me a chance to monitor flock health, some impression of how well they are foraging, get them back into the runs, etc) and force the birds to forage all day. It works for me and my flock. I didn't read it anywhere, its not backed by any studies I'm aware of, and is just sort of something that "happened". So my example should be considered anecdote, not data.

During the day, its not uncommon to see the chickens hiding in the shade, dust bathing, doing everything BUT foraging for a while. Then off they go to forage some more... I don't pretend to understand it, can offer no reason for it - but every bird I butcher for the table seems healthy, and I can't complain about the quality of the eggs - so I let my chickens be chickens. They are better at it than I am.

 

[Outta Here]

Free choice feeding of a balanced diet is most important for all but Cornishx birds. Then they still forage just fine, because all those yummy finds out there are so worth the effort!
And fencing will keep them off your porch, as long as you have shade, trees, shrubs, and other places for them to hang out.
Mary

Thanks! Then I'll just keep the hoopers full and keep cleaning porch poop daily! I know I should fence them off, but I actually like them close in--I come and sit (on a clean chair!) with them companionably. Sometimes I even play my harp for them!!

 

[3KillerBs]

I think that it's the nature of chickens to forage for a while, rest and digest for a while, forage for a while, rest and digest for a while, ....

 

[Folly's place]

Free choice feeding of a balanced diet is most important for all but Cornishx birds. Then they still forage just fine, because all those yummy finds out there are so worth the effort!
And fencing will keep them off your porch, as long as you have shade, trees, shrubs, and other places for them to hang out.
Mary

 

[LizzzyJo]

This scene is beautiful and I love your porch. I am wondering how long you've had them? They seem like young pullets? This may be an unpopular opinion, but they are going to wreck that pretty porch with poop. Maybe they need some covered areas in the yard? Mine spend most of the day under the picnic table. Shade and hawk protection. Possibly some furniture off the porch with some food tidbits under it each day will reorient them in time to save the pretty porch...

 

[Outta Here]

Unrelated - I love the stone on your patio floor.

Well, thank you very much! (it is easier to clean chicken poop off of than the plain concrete it used to be)!

We tiled the whole interior of our home with it, and liked it so much we did the front and back patios, too.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Yes indeed you are right, they make a MESS and your suggestions are good ones! Most are 3 months, some are 4 months. So far I've been hosing the entire porch and furniture cushions (water resistant fabric) every day, but I may get weary of it. It's just so cozy to have them there that for now I'm willing. Here they are snoozing, harp strings in the foreground....I love playing out there, and who knows, maybe they even like the music!
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I bet they love the music! I don't know where you live, but here in the winter the poop will freeze very quickly and mound up - and I can't turn on the hoses. So, maybe you won't have that problem, but if you do look out!

 

[Chickassan]

Some breeds are just more into foraging than others are too.
Like my dominiques will forage even if food is right in front of them they actually prefer to forage.
The faverolles however would prefer room service.
I've also noticed it has a lot to do with if the rooster is an active participant, they go where he goes so if he's napping in the shade so are they.