If you've studied the pastured poultry info, you've probably already seen the 5-30% info, right? You know, where they claim that pastured poultry can get up to 30% of their feed intake from the pasture. Up to 30% on my pasture, field, meadow, whatever, is more likely around 5% unless it's a good grasshopper year.
What I do count on with the pasture is that it will fill in all the holes that a balanced feed has. I think that balanced feeds can't help but have holes, unless it's homemade and goes beyond what the NRC's 94 version of Nutrient Requirements of Poultry suggests (dictates, mandates, etc.) ... and even then, we still don't know what could be missing. Sure we have chickens that are alive and laying eggs, but could they be healthier, more vigorous, more robust? Likely. I could never get whatever it is that those chickens are eating when they're out there digging and pecking in the dirt under the leaves into our homemade balanced feed. It doesn't work that way. We all know that. And I kinda think that those are the things (the little bugs, grubs, roots, elusive minerals, and what not) that are missing in the supposed balanced feeds.
Don't get me wrong. Balanced feeds are the only way I feel safe when feeding my chickens and I'd always want a balanced feed for my chickens if it remains affordable, but I still think that there's stuff out there in dem dare hills, dales, and dusty trails that the chickens know they should be eating. So, I'm glad that ours can free range for now while we live here. (After Hurricane Sandy/superstorm I see that we live more precariously than we like to think.)
My point? Yeah, if I can ever get to it. Um. I don't think free-range chickens will overeat on the fodder/sprouts if we still keep the balanced feed out there for them free choice. Mine pounce on the sprouts, but then will leave some in the trays or on the ground (where they've drug it) if I give them too much or more than they feel like eating. And I can't say that I ever give them all that much. Much of the time, they leave the white middle area between the grain and the green blade.
I really appreciate the learning environment here. The humility, helpfulness and enthusiasm is very pleasant.
X2
I found myself in my car driving three hours to get my hands on more chickens. Then I was driving back again for more?! Then I was hauling a whole car full home for people here in Utah...and Idaho....and delivering them...and now ordering more for next spring. Oh and the people who bought my chicks I hatched this Spring, that actually show their birds...wanted more than I had, drooling over the babies, in their car also driving three hours, getting more chickens, and then bringing more eggs back for me. Ya. Her birds turn us all into putty in her hands. Pretty much. Whatever pawtraitart feeds her birds, is working lol. 
I have bought a lot of different birds hatched from breeders all over this country, and none hold a candle to yours. Hands down yours have the best egg color (olive eggers, ameraucanas and marans all three) , the biggest egg size , the best temperament, and the nicest feathering 
