How many times/day do you feed your chickens?

[bruceha2000]

ALL day! Their feeder always has crumblets. I give them something in the morning, scraps if we have them, BOSS if not. Then they get scratch when it is time to close up the barn. They are spoiled chickens. They go in the coop when it starts to get dark and the auto chicken door closes later, it opens around 7:30 AM. They are outside anytime they want though in the winter when there is snow or is it below maybe 20F, they mostly stay in the barn. In the summer they come and go as they like, eating whatever bugs and vegetation they find, and much less bagged food

. They have acres to wander but choose to never go more than about 100' from a building.

Bruce

 

[Kleo]

Kleo, your chooks eat better than I do !

I know I treat them too well, but I am a sucker for my pets. Love my girls and roo.

 

[3 barred rocks]

I wish I could free range mine. Too many predators :-/
I do have a question off topic. We have been part of the deep freeze,
and I have kept my chickens in the coop during the day. Is ok to let them
out in the run with temps still in the single digits during the day? I have a new coop, and I
didn't want to open the door and let out the little bit of warmth in the coop.

 

[Going Quackers]

I refill feeders in the AM.. now because we have been wicked cold i have been going around opening/topping up water and tossing some extra scratch before night time, but when it's not so nasty, each morning is sufficient. My standards free range and the banties all have access outside with fenced areas.

 

[Going Quackers]

I wish I could free range mine. Too many predators :-/
I do have a question off topic. We have been part of the deep freeze,
and I have kept my chickens in the coop during the day. Is ok to let them
out in the run with temps still in the single digits during the day? I have a new coop, and I
didn't want to open the door and let out the little bit of warmth in the coop.

YOu can try, we've been real cold here, it was -30C here this AM but by afternoon had warmed up to roughly -18C so i opened the coop doors(chicken sized ones) and let them all decide to come out or not, most did in/out then locked back in at dusk. Unfortunately, mine are quite accustomed to cold.

 

[3 barred rocks]

I'm going to open the chicken door tomorrow. If they come out , i'll watch and see how long until they go back in.
They love being out and scratching, this will be the 3rd day of solitary confinement!

 

[francisfamchick]

We have 12 hens and 2 roosters. We feed ours once in the morning and once at night. They always get some type of fresh fruits or vegetables also. We give them oyster shells to help grind up food. Also we have a flock block that we put out for them. It just depends on your method of doing things. All of our hens are happy and healthy and extremely friendly. We've had chickens for over 10 years, the long the experience the more knowledge you gain.

 

[Scott H]

We have 12 hens and 2 roosters. We feed ours once in the morning and once at night. They always get some type of fresh fruits or vegetables also. We give them oyster shells to help grind up food. Also we have a flock block that we put out for them. It just depends on your method of doing things. All of our hens are happy and healthy and extremely friendly. We've had chickens for over 10 years, the long the experience the more knowledge you gain.

Oyster shell does not take the place of grit. It is for calcium. They must have a way to get grit and yours must if they are doing fine....
And welcome to BYC!

 

[whittychick]

I keep feed out 24/7, I'll throw oysters, grit and seeds in their run too! And they always get our yummy leftovers! My girls are healthy, fluffy and loving! And laying lots of eggs!

 

[francisfamchick]

Oyster shell does not take the place of grit. It is for calcium. They must have a way to get grit and yours must if they are doing fine....
And welcome to BYC!

. I must have forgot to put that. But yes they do get that as well.