Free Range Feeding

[Heyoehkah]

In my research I read on Texas Free range meats web site that they do not feed their free range chickens except in extreme conditions when they add some alfalfa pellets. This is supposed to provide for a well balanced Omega 3 egg. Happy well adjusted chickens as well hopefully.

Has anyone got experience with this? How much pasture would support how many hens? I have almost one acre of irrigated pasture in a climate average from 63 to 83 here in north San Diego county. Any experienced chickens farmers out there with suggestions?

 

[citrusdreams]

I can tell you that I *need* to feed them significantly less when they free range. In other words, when I go to put a scoop of layer mash in the feeder, there is still layer mash in there from a few days ago. They go through less feed when they free range because they're eating a variety of other things.

Not sure about your question about how much pasture to let them free range on. Mine free range over a few acres.

 

[gritsar]

My chickens free range over alot of acerage. I still keep layer pellets available to them all the time.

 

[gocrow77]

Mine free range over 5 acres. They DO eat ALOT less than before I let them free range and was keeping them in the coop while they were smaller. However, I find the on the "really" hot days they tend to stay under the trees more and "range" less. Thus in the evening when they return to the coop they eat a bit more than on other days. I always have some feed out and there is always quite a bit that they don't eat. But, I'd rather be safe than sorry. Mone also run for tidbits from the kitchen and garden and prefer those above anything else, lol. To sum it up, I think you will find you feed a significant amount less that those who house their chickens in a coop and run setup, but you will still want to provide some food. Best wishes.

 

[Bullwinkle]

My chickens free range (well, within a 2 1/2 acre fenced area... I put the fence up because they couldn't understand not to go in the road).

They get a lot of their feed from the bugs and other 'stuff' they eat, but they still eat a significant amount of pellets (I'd say it cuts down my feed bill by 1/3 to 1/2 depending on (as the other poster said) how hot it is. When it is really hot they like to stay in the shade. I have a waterer and a feeder in both their coop and each morning also put out a feeder/waterer for them under the trees.

 

[freefly]

I give my girls free choice on their feed and they are free range.