How many times/day do you feed your chickens?

[eggsellentfarms]

If you have layers, it's best that they have access to layer food all the time. Mine free range all day and seem to prefer to eat what they find, but this time of year they still need lots of feed. I've been letting them into the garden and that has reduced the feed consumption a lot, however I noticed when it rained for a couple days I suddenly went through way more food, probably because they were sitting around under shelter all day instead of finding food.

 

[Gldnrose]

I have food available 24/7 for mine. I also toss some scratch in the run during the winter and give them scraps when I have them. Have to change the water frequently during all these freezing temps we have been having. I haven't gone with any heated water unit yet, I would have to run a cord out to the coop and I'm paranoid about any chance of fires. I have 5 hens and I know at least four of them are laying. We just have to make sure we get out there in time before they freeze. I will be very happy when it warms up a bit, at least out of the negative temps!

 

[scottswife02]

Can I feed my chickens oatmeal? Dry or wet? Any additions?

 

[Scott H]

Can I feed my chickens oatmeal? Dry or wet? Any additions?

Sure,either way.

 

[Aacre]

I feed my flock in the morning and if the weather is nice enough, I let them free range. If there is no ground showing (covered in snow), I leave them in. Luckily this season it has been really nice during the day. I usually give them kitchen scraps and their own egg shells back during the middle of the day. I usually find something special for them to snack on too because kitchen scraps aren't that plentiful and for being chickens, they sure are pigs!

Also, I don't feed them chicken, but I will feed them other meat. It just doesn't seem kosher..

 

[Gldnrose]

Can I feed my chickens oatmeal? Dry or wet? Any additions?

I have done both. I don't think I have done dried since they were in brooder. I have cooked oatmeal and added raisins for a nice warm meal and they love it. It's gone before I have changed over their water and collected eggs. I haven't done it lately though with the negative temps we have been having because they always manage to get it on their wattles and I don't want it to freeze, maybe it wouldn't but don't want to chance it.

 

[katsdar]

I agree with you on it may freeze on their waddles. I give my girls uncooked and they love it, wow do we have a bunch of spoiled chickens, ok I did an experiment with this last batch I hatched, I sang a short chicken tune I made up every time I turned the eggs and this group is so attached to me it's crazy they hear my voice and I can not walk for them piling on my feet and they try to follow me into my car, house everywhere, I have to be careful because they get so on top of me they almost trip me, if I'm not stepping on their feet. Now my other chickens they come around and follow me but not to this extent, the chicks are now 3.5 months old. next time you have a batch in the bator sing to them and let me know how they react to you

 

[katsdar]

I have been giving my girls cooked rice and they are not as messy as with grits or oatmeal.

 

[Nana D]

I feed my chickens what they will eat in a day, with no leftovers come dark. Normally it would be 1/2 a feed scoop in the morning along with fresh water daily. The scoop I am using is one I use to scoop feed for my horses.It is a basic plastic feed scoop you can find at T.S. This much feed is feeding 4 hens and a rooster.

 

[eggorthechicken]

I feed mine in the morning and give them feed and some game feed as a treat or scratch and if I'm home on the weekends I give them scraps. I was snowed in yesterday's so they got lots of goodies including peanut butter oatmeal and pork chops, green beans and corn. I sprout for them too so they get some green during the winter. During the summer they get their usual feed and garden scraps including watermelon and pumpkin...that's their fav other than peanuts and that's like crack to them...lol.