Free Range and Nutrition

[jsanders]

I have 10 10 week old chicks that have been eating medicated starter grower. Recently I started throwing cracked corn on the ground for them and let them free range now that I have the coop finished. Theyh are under trees and in a pretty dog proof fence and so far no troubles. If they run out of food for a a day or 2 will the free ranging be good nutrition for them? I know they will miss the meds, I'm just curious.

 

[chad]

What's these birds' destiny? Broilers? Layers? The corn will help them, but if you want these gals to lay eggs you'll probably want to supplement forage with an egg production feed, at least to some extent.

If they're broilers, keep doing what you're doing and let us know how you go!

 

[cybercat]

At this point they can be off meds. The foraging is fine the more they get the less chick feed they will eat. Saves on food bill.

 

[lilmouthy]

I'm just curious...how big of a coop are they in? Just because they are outside with a bit of grass under them,doesn't necessarily mean they will get enough bugs to sustain them with out some store bought food. Of course this is just my thinking. My guys are 10 weeks old as well. They free range in the yard,woods,and horse pasture all day long,but when ever they see me,they act like they haven't had a thing to eat all day. But then again,I have meat birds,so they eat enough for several chickens anyhow. LOL

 

[jsanders]

They are layers. The house is 8x8x8 and the run is about 8x10 and their yard is about 4 acres. They don't really range all that far from the coop. I love watching them chase what they think the other one has only to find she doesn't have anything. Anyway, I like having some feed for them but they don't eat near as much.

 

[anthonyjames]

My 8 weekers range all day. I find they eat less food as well. If they end up in the run all day because I am gone I see the food consumption go up.

So don't worry. They are filling up on grass, bugs, etc. and will eat their food as they need it.

 

[gjoyner]

I have the same thing going on..i was worried that they wrent getting enough of their food, but I have feeders outside. Am i supposed to grow things that they can eat specially for them? if so,what?
Also, mine are about 11weeks, when do I switch to layer feed?

 

[Judy]

I have four mature hens who range over lawn, weed patches and woods. I keep feed out for them all the time but they eat very little of it. They do like their morning handful of scratch, and will eat some things I offer for treats.

 

[cybercat]

For those interested. I just came across a free range chicken group on Yahoo. They are new this year and already have 50 members. If you want to find them just PM for the link. One can never have enough info as far as i am concerned.

 

[gjoyner]

What is PM the link mean?