Hens counting calories

[MontanaMomma]

I have had several chickens die due to internal laying, and believe limiting their food and avoiding obesity may help my remaining three chickens. But I have no idea how much food to give them each day. In the past I have simply filled up the feeder with layer pellets when it gets low, thrown them scraps, etc. Right now I have black oil sunflower seeds, scratch (corn and seeds), layer pellets and oats. How much should they get each day if I want them to lose weight and maintain? They have a 400 square foot run and are occasionally allowed into a yard nearly five times the size of their run to scratch and explore.

 

[Hooligans7]

Here's some info you may find useful —
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-treat-egg-binding-in-chickens.html

You may want to stop giving them the extra food and treats. They're better off eating the layer pellets when they're hungry and should lose weight in the process. Occasional *small* treats of fruit & vegetable scraps are OK.

 

[MontanaMomma]

I'm really not looking for egg binding treatment information. I would like to have a better idea of how much food I should be feeding my chickens each day in order to avoid overweight hens with reproductive problems. Thanks though.

 

[Hooligans7]

I'm really not looking for egg binding treatment information. I would like to have a better idea of how much food I should be feeding my chickens each day in order to avoid overweight hens with reproductive problems. Thanks though.

Here you go: As I said, cut back on all the extra food and treats. It's simply too much food and your hens are dying from complications of obesity. Instead, allow them to eat only high-quality layer pellets whenever they're hungry. If you do, they will lose weight gradually and their reproductive problems should resolve completely. Again, occasional small treats of fruit and vegetable scraps are OK and beneficial.
My chickens eat from a hanging feeder that I keep full at all times. They eat when they're hungry, they've never been overweight, and most days we get five eggs from five hens.

 

[MontanaMomma]

I have added food (oats, scratch, seeds) other than layer pellets because layer pellets are so high in fat with hopes of weight loss. They became overweight free-eating layer pellets with occasional treats. Again, I am wondering how much to feed them for weight loss. Has anyone seen information regarding recommended caloric intake of chickens pertaining to different types of feed or layer pellets? For instance, my dog is 50 pounds. On the side of the dog food bag, it tells me how much to feed my 50 pound dog each day. Has anyone seen similar information pertaining to chickens?