Help is needed?!

[certifiedchef]

I have 4 young hens (about 20 weeks) I am in the final week of grow feed and them I ma going to switch them to layer feed. I am not thinking they are eating as much as they have in the past - the feeder is VERY slow to empty this past week or so. I have been giving them a cup (24 0z size) of scratch and grain with feed mixed in every other morning cuz its been cold here (ok cold for sacramento) so I know they eat that and they are eating the green easte/trimmings I bring them from work, but are they geting enough food?? Feed is in their coop, water is downstairs both a auto system with cups and a jug of H20.
any thoughts???
thankn you in advance!!

 

[Pequena Bandada]

If you're concerned they're not eating enough food, cut back on the scratch/grain. Even when it's cold, your chickens will do better with complete layer/grower rations rather than treats like scratch.

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
Agree they can be given too much scratch--for 4 birds more than half a cup per day would be an absolute limit because they will eat that rather than a balanced diet. I'd also hold off on the layer as well until you see eggs--they don't need the extra calcium until they are laying.

 

[OkChickens]

Mine have slowed down on the food because it went from around high 75-80 and low 50 at night to the high 45-50 low 20's. The change in food could have an effect. But to much scratch can be a bad thing.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

They might also have stopped growing and need less feed right now, too.