how do you feed a chicken??

[homeschoolmama]

No need to purchase a feeder if you don't want to- there are lots of homamade ones on this list-this thread has an awesome compilation https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=319875

 

[gryeyes]

Some people use layer feed, which is specifically formulated with calcium to help form eggs. It's not good for young chicks which have not yet started to lay, however, nor is it good for roosters. So other people use "all purpose" flock feed, and put out ground up oyster shell in a separate container so the hens can take it at will.

 

[markb816]

my problem is , that they aren't laying any eggs at all. Last Saturday, when I first got them I had a total of 6 eggs from my 8 hens. That was in a 2 day time frame after getting my hens. And then the 3rd day I discovered a crack empty shell in the coop. That same day I found an egg in the bushes.-"hey how did that get ther!!". Now I haven't seen any eggs at all!

My main concern is that I want my hens to be healthy and happy. That is why I am so grateful for this website and all the good people who are happy and willing to give honest helpful advise. THANKS EVERYONE!

 

[the lone rhubarb]

Well maybe the reason that your not getting any eggs is that the birdies are
hiding them!!!! I am jealous that you get to free range (if you do),
but then it is harder to find the eggs!! Mine usually lay in the morning so po-
ssibly you cud lock them up when they are laying, then let them out?? Whatever
will work best.

If they are breaking and eating eggs (in a coop) then you
might consider building rollaway laying boxes.

 

[UrbanEgg]

They could just be taking a laying break because they were moved? I was given my first chickens last January and they laid eggs the first day I had them, but after that it took a few weeks being in a new location to really get laying again. They were also very old birds too though. 5/6 years I believe.

 

[bantybev]

Do you have cozy nest boxes, with straw or shavings, for the eggs in the coop? Sometimes putting plastic or ceramic eggs in the nest is enough to encourage them to use it. Some people even use golf balls...lol.

 

[Akane]

Chickens will stop laying shortly after being moved. They'll empty all the eggs they had in production first so you'll get some for a few days and then stop for awhile. Chickens stress about any change and moving to a new home is big change. Just get a feeder so they have food available all the time and they should start laying again soon.

 

[wishful]

Quote:
Is there any chance the hens are eating the eggs before you get to them? The fact that there you found an empty shell makes me think maybe they're breaking them open and eating them before you can collect the eggs, but I'm not sure.

 

[schellie69]

Okay on your first question I put the food in the run and they go in there to eat the food scratch I throw in the yard where they free range and sometimes to get them to pen up if I need them to during the day the water they can get to from either in the pen or outside I do not put food or water in the coop that is for roosting and laying eggs. I kept the girls in the run/coop for a few weeks until they learned where to lay eggs and roost then I let them out each morning and let them free range all day they go to the coop to lay their eggs or the run to get their feed. this has worked for me I am in the process of making a feeder out of a 5 gallon bucket and a planter bottom and I am making a new coop larger then the one I have now and this winter I will have food and water in the new coop and in the run so they can choose where they want to spend time also this winter I will be making food toy's like cabbages and bagels to keep them busy I do not use oyster shells I reuse the egg shells from the girls eggs and give that to them with yogurt and other treats about twice a week and I have really hard egg shells since the eggs shells are ground up they do not make the connection between their eggs and the egg shells in the pan you can also leave just the crushed egg shells in a shallow pan for them to eat as they want it has worked for me just some other ideas for you to think about

 

[Liberty For All]

Okay,,,,,,,I am confused. Which is alright because I am always confused. So here are my questions.

(1). Oyster shells - Do you mix the shells with the feed or feed separately? Do you keep the shells away from the Rooster?

(2). Feed - What is the difference between Scratch and Laying feed?

When I was a child (a long time ago) my grandfather would have me spread the feed on the ground or in the Coop depending on the weather. He said that the chickens needed to have dirt and gravel to digest their food. Oyster shells or Laying feed were never talked about, that I can remember. We always had good eggs. What has changed? Just asking. Thank you. Ps, I like the idea of reusing the egg shells.