Feeding twice a day

[LaFleche]

Do you cut up or grate the pumpkin and carrots? My hens can't be bothered pecking anything hard like that...maybe having layer pellets on tap all day most days means they're not hungry enough?

I only grate the carrots for chicks, adults get big slices or chinks of pumpkin and whole carrots.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Do you cut up or grate the pumpkin and carrots? My hens can't be bothered pecking anything hard like that...

I split things like pumpkins, squash, and cucumber so they can get to the insides, but they are capable of doing that for themselves. If I split them they are more likely to eat them. Carrots, turnips, and such I leave whole.

I've seen chickens cut a frog into bite-sized pieces by pecking. Mine have pecked holes in ice to get to the water underneath as long as it is not too thick. Like many things else on here, they are capable of doing a lot more than many people give them credit but if they don't want to they don't do those things.

 

[Jen-the-Hen]

I only grate the carrots for chicks, adults get big slices or chinks of pumpkin and whole carrots.

Ok, thanks for that LaFleche.

 

[Mama KK]

Mine free-range during the day, so I feed them only once daily, about an hour before I coop them for the night. The only time they get fed in the morning is if they have to remain cooped all-day

 

[Vicker]

I have a large flock that come and go as they free range. Most eat before they go out and before they roost. I don't have the time or inclination to figure out how much to put out 2xday, nor to monitor them to make sure everyone gets their fair share. They don't like fermented feed, btw.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

My huge flock of three 10-week-old pullets are fed twice a day. I ferment their feed (easy; in a one quart Mason jar - takes maybe 5 minutes a day.)

So far, they’re in their 120 ft2 run, but will be let out in the backyard to forage for a few hours in the late afternoon, once various gaps are plugged.

I’m still trying to figure out how much they eat. It seems to be settling down to around a cup a day dry (not yet fermented) for all three, but doubtless that will change. I just keep an eye on the bowl they currently use to make sure that it’s almost empty.

Currently using Kalmbach Chickhouse Reserve.