Free range vs feed

[mrslaura]

If my chickens free range every day, do I still need to keep feed available? Would the free ranging take care of their needs?

 

[kattabelly]

Where in the world are you? How many chickens are you keeping on how much land? What kind of chickens are they? What forage will they have access to?

People will be able to answer your question better with some more information.

 

[nuthatched]

Do you have flocks of feral chickens running around?
If not, always provide feed. There's not enough in the environment to sustain them.
If yes, still provide feed.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

My chickens free range all day at the edge of a forest with lots of forage available to them (berries, nuts, bugs, plants, grass, hay, etc) but I still give them a couple scoops (roughly 4 cups) per day minimum for ~15 birds. If they eat all that I give them another scoop before bed. In the spring and summer they eat less dry food. Right now they are foraging all day and still eating ~6 cups of dry food. I hope this helps.

 

[Penpal]

Please add your location.
Let them free range in the morning and give them feed them 1 to 2 hours later. The more they eat from the land, the less feed they will eat. So, going into winter you'll find they eat more chick kibble.