general feeding question

[discobayblonde]

recently my 5 ladies have been kicking their food out onto the ground. so much that theyre emptying a 15 pound feeder every other day! im wondering....will they eat it off the ground? or do i need to keep filling the feeder?
thanks!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How old are your girlies? Are you offering pellets or crumble feed? Can you post a pic of your feeder?

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have a 15 lb feeder. Raise it up so trough is level with your smallest chickens back.
Are you feeding a whole grain feed? If you are the chickens will pick out their favorite seeds/grains and bill out the rest. I feed crumbles and my Barred Rocks will eat any spelt feed off the floor. My Golden Comets not so much. GC

 

[blackdog043]

Agree, raise it to back height if it's not and see if that helps.

 

[Perris]

or ferment it - much less waste then, as well as being good for them

 

[blackdog043]

or ferment it - much less waste then, as well as being good for them

Yep, fermenting works good for no waste. I ferment and also have dry available, in no waste feeders.

 

[The_Flock]

or ferment it - much less waste then, as well as being good for them

What is this fermenting feed?

 

[rosemarythyme]

What is this fermenting feed?

First thread I found on a quick search, there's many more detailed ones: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-ferment.1320034/

 

[Perris]

as well as that one, have a look at this one
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fermented-feeds-anyone-using-them.645057/ and this one
https://scratchcradle.wordpress.com/2012/09/22/science-of-fermented-feed/ if you want more detail on the hows and whys of its benefit, with references

 

[EggWalrus]

Fermenting is easy, puts an end to waste, and is good for chickens health.