Last summer, during the month of July, with a heavy infestation of grasshoppers, mine, including two hens and chicks, nearly stopped eating layer feed. But that was only a few weeks, as the insect population began to thin with fall, they ate more feed. I would not expect chickens to eat enough free ranging most of the year. At least here is SD, there are no bugs from September on. Insects are high protien, but grain and vegetation is mostly carbohydrates. Unless you have a significant source of insects, I don't think they would meet their needs. mk
