How many times/day do you feed your chickens?

[Beekissed]

I feed once a day in the morning during winter months and during the evening in the warmer months~fermented feed. The chooks free range at all times, all seasons. No treats except what they scavenge out of the scrap pile. Occasionally on really cold days or deep snow like today I'll give them apples or a handful of BOSS in their coop to keep them busy.

 

[Joan71]

Sorry for such a basic question, but am wondering if chickens should be fed 2X/day? We have been feeding them every morning, and occasionally in the afternoon if we have kitchen scraps. Now I am wondering if we are under-feeding them. We have four healthy-looking hens that are nearly 8 months old. They started laying in mid-December and are producing 3-4 eggs/day. Thanks for your feedback.

We all do things a little differently and still its correct. I feed my 4 girls in the early evening so they can eat before bedtime. Daily I feed them about a quart of crumbles in a hanging feeder, some type of greens (bought at the grocery store in season). When I have them I give them grapes for treat, sometimes, cooked ground hamburger, oatmeal. In the summer, when they can get free ranged food, they just don't eat the same volume of crumbles. In the winter time, I keep crumbles in their feeder and adjust the volume as needed. They need more food when it is cold. I put down cracked corn, sunflower seeds, and grit to help digest their food. They seem to know what they need as long as it is available. When I am busy and slow taking them their afternoon feed and greens, treats, they sing just as loud as necessary to get my attention. Your egg production sounds good. I get 3 - 4 eggs daily. I have 1 smaller hen and she takes a day off from laying about every 5 - 6 days to rest. Sounds like you are doing well. If your girls are happy and healthy, you are doing things correctly. Try to relax and enjoy their company.
Reason I feed in the afternoon - I am elderly, like to sleep in in the morning so afternoon feeding fits my schedule and theirs. Their feeder always has food for the next morning feeding. They are hungry when they get up. Good luck.

 

[AngryRooster]

I just have a few hanging feeders in my coop and I check them often to make sure my chickens have enough to eat. My chickens are free range though and generally forage for their own food. As a result they don't eat so much of their provided feed. I think you should just leave toe food out for your chickens so they can eat as much as they need and I know that they will stop eating once they've had enough.

 

[Glee]

We fill the feed tub in the morning. When I check it late in the afternoon when I gather eggs there should still be some feed in it. If not, then I add more. The next morning I increase the amount until I know just how much they will eat in a day. By morning it should be empty. I also give them scraps from the kitchen and in the summer they free range all afternoon until dark when I lock up the coop - mostly because of predators.

 

[themadchicken]

I have feed available for them 24/7. They will only eat what they want. During the winter they will eat all the food in 24 hrs. During the spring,summer and fall they only eat about 1/2 to 3/4 of the feeder. My feeders are home made out of plastic coffee containers. They hold about the same amount as a 1 gallon milk container. I feed them a 3 grain mix and they free range for the rest. 30 chickens will eat 2 feeders of feed per day in the winter.

 

[super silkie]

I just have a feeder full of there food and then put food scrapes on the ground and if they need food they have it

 

[Circle P Farm]

I live in a really cold cold climate especially in the winter! So when there is snow on the ground and they are locked in the coop ad unable to free range I fseed then 2x a day! But check the meat on their breast if their breast bone is not poking out a whole lot then they are getting enough To eat!

 

[craftiekids]

I get great results with free range in the chicken yard with just a handful of cracked corn in the am. In the evenings I give them a good meal of pellets and in winter, I feed all my animals dried Beet Pulp with Hot water added for a warm tummy at night. Of course I feed kitchen scraps too, I spoil them all.....

Never Feed Beet Pulp Dry! 1/2 half bucket of dry pulp, then I put Hottest water from my tap 4" over the pulp stir and wait for at least 1 hour before feeding.,
In summer I put warm water in and wait overnight in the kitchen to feed in morning. The water is cool by then but not cold. wet pulp is only good for a day.
Good luck!!! I've been reading this one too, you can't be too careful or learn too much! Susie Q

 

[dcourington]

I would love the directions on making a water heater. You would think we do not need it in Florida, but it is in the 20's at night and not much better during the day here lately... I can tell ya, I sure hate this global warming stuff...

 

[pheasant1]

I have feed in front of all my birds all the time. I use feed hoppers for the large breeds and fill them once a week.
Bantams and quail I use mason jar feeders, as many as it take to last 4 or 5 days. I use a commercial layer pellet.
In the winter I treat them with crack corn, rest of the year left over produce and garden greens (or weeds) to have
something to pick at. I find the birds don't like the cheaper feeds, they pitch the feed all over their house.