Graze all day?

[ChickenMamaC]

We made a 30 gallon feeder thinking we didn’t want to have to lug food in and out every day, but now I’m seeing people state that they only feed in the AM. Is it unusual to just let them graze as needed? My chickens are in a large run all day while we are at work— they free range under supervision in the early evening and on weekends.

 

[HuskerHens18]

I let my chickens eat as much as they want, all day never had a problem

 

[snow5164]

All day everyday , you might be noticing we go out to give fermented feed , or check water in the mornings ....

I would never limit layers food , now meat birds they are absolute pigs

 

[blackdog043]

My dry feed is available all the time, I put fermented out in the morning. Is your 30 Gal a no waste feeder style, with the elbows?

 

[ChickenMamaC]

My dry feed is available all the time, I put fermented out in the morning. Is your 30 Gal a no waste feeder style, with the elbows?

Yes, exactly

 

[Aerliss]

What Snowy said; people put out fermented feed in the morning, but layers will have access to dry all day. It takes a lot of food to make an egg.

 

[ChickenMamaC]

But do you bring it in at night to prevent attracting predators? I wish I could just close off the elbows at night somehow.

 

[blackdog043]

You should be able to buy caps to put over the ends. They also sell plugs that fit inside the elbows that you could use.

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

It’s not abnormal to feed all day. I think maybe some complain because the free feed can have some waste on the ground. Which most try to eliminate by different methods.
Now depending on humidity/area where you live it could cake. Mine stay in a large run all day as well while I’m at work too. They feed as the like but I have to limit no more than a day or two. It will attract roaches, slugs, and cake up.

now meat birds they are absolute pigs

I call mine C Monsters, C for Cornish Cross. Devouring everything in sight.

 

[blackdog043]

Here is a link for a 3 inch plug, other sizes are available. More expensive than a cap, but easier to use IMO.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Oatey-PVC-Test-Plug-Fitting/3880609