Getting the most out of free ranging?

[lablover]

I have 5 hens and 1 roo that free range most of the day. I will soon add 3 more hens to the flock. While they do eat quite a bit during the day while they're free ranging, they (especially the rooster) follow me around if their feeder is empty. I usually wait until they've cleaned up all of the feed before putting out more, so hopefully they will go hunt bugs or something.

When do you all put feed out? Do you let them go hungry for a bit to encourage foraging? Do you feed in the evening, or in the morning?

 

[JanetS]

My chickens have their feed available 24/7.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I leave food out all the time. Mine prefer to forage. We are lucky to have a large area with a lot of different foods for them to eat. Plus, we plant things. I find that chickens get better at foraging with experience. If they are lucky enough to grow up in a flock, the other chickens teach them what's good to eat and what's safe to eat. If they weren't raised in a foraging flock, then it's trial and error, over time.

 

[centrarchid]

To avoid attracting predators like opossums and raccoons I try to make so no feed is in feeders after dark. The following morning before dark while birds still on roost the feeders are loaded. This makes so birds do not associate me directly with food and thus do not follow me about. Secondly the amount applied is such that all is consumed usually before noon. Birds must make up the difference by foraging. I monitor weight / egg production; if weight or eggs decline, then feed is added in greater amounts. When forage quality is high you can also use an incomplete ration. I like using a combination of soaked / sprouted grains to replace part of the layer feed provided. Watch birds closely for how far they actually go. Too far and they may shift roosting location or be more vulnerable to predators.