Free rein feeding method

[Tired old Rooster]

That with the constant availability of enough variety of ingredients to choose between in individually separated auto fed containers, they will be more capable of adjusting their nutritional intake according to individual need than I would be.

So, basically they will "free range" in lab conditions? What I mean, is that instead of the choices of plants and bugs they have in my flock, yours will have to choose from feeders. You wish to see, if the discernment they show in nature, will work in a closed system?

 

[Ital]

So, basically they will "free range" in lab conditions? What I mean, is that instead of the choices of plants and bugs they have in my flock, yours will have to choose from feeders. You wish to see, if the discernment they show in nature, will work in a closed system?

Exactly this.

I’ve found that the greater the variety of ingredients I added to the menu, the easier it was to reach the necessary nutritional targets without adding too much of any one item.
What I couldn’t effectively account for was the varied requirement between birds, at different stages of development and activity.

With this method I hope to address these issues and anticipate potential additional advantages which will be measured and recorded here, be it a complete failure, or preferable alternative to providing a balanced blend.

 

[nuthatched]

1. That with the constant availability of enough variety of ingredients to choose between in individually separated auto fed containers, they will be more capable of adjusting their nutritional intake according to individual need than I would be.

2. That this could potentially result in lower feed consumption, less waste, and healthier birds that live longer and lay better tasting more nutritious eggs.

They're just going to eat whatever they find the tastiest, they won't spread them selves out over the different ingredients for a healthy diet.
Picking out their favorite food will result in nutritional deficiency.

 

[Ital]

Apparatus-

 

[Ital]

I somewhat recall a similar study. How do you plan to measure results?

Method-

Ingredients will be distributed between separate containers which will be auto filled with j pipes and added to in measured amounts which I’ll make a note of to get an idea of what they like and how much they consume of each item.

I don’t have a control group for comparison and have no way of testing the nutritional value of the eggs so the results will be subjective but if they seem happy, healthy, and are consuming a good variety from what’s available I’ll continue with the plan and make notes of any observations as it progresses.

 

[Ital]

They're just going to eat whatever they find the tastiest, they won't spread them selves out over the different ingredients for a healthy diet.
Picking out their favorite food will result in nutritional deficiency.

It’s entirety possible, we’ll soon find out

 

[Perris]

I think nuthatched should define what they think is 'a healthy diet'.
And provide some evidence to back up their oft-repeated opinion on these things.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Method-

Ingredients will be distributed between separate containers which will be auto filled with j pipes and added to in measured amounts which I’ll make a note of to get an idea of what they like and how much they consume of each item.

I don’t have a control group for comparison and have no way of testing the nutritional value of the eggs so the results will be subjective but if they seem happy, healthy, and are consuming a good variety from what’s available I’ll continue with the plan and make notes of any observations as it progresses.

Why won’t you have a control group?

 

[Ital]

Apparatus continues to arrive in the post..

 

[nuthatched]

It’s entirety possible, we’ll soon find out

It's not just a possibility, it's the guaranteed outcome.
Are you adding any vitamin mixes to your ingredients?
Edit- that would skew the experiment but it would be better for your birds.