How much do you feed free range birds during the summer?

[_Wildwood_]

How much does everyone feed their free range laying flock? What about free range ducks? I currently have 9 layers and will be expanding to 17, very shortly. Also planning to add a few Pekin Ducks to the flock this year.

Most of my friends who free range their birds don't feed them anything during the summer, except kitchen scraps. So, for the most part they just eat vegetation and bugs. Is this healthy or should I supplement with a little bit of layer feed as well?

Thanks!
TNB

 

[Pyxis]

I usually just leave the feeder out and let them eat free choice. They'll get whatever they can free ranging because they prefer it to the feed, then eat the feed to make up the difference. Or at least that has been my experience with my chickens and ducks (and guineas and geese).

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Mine free range spring to fall, but I have no idea how I would get them back into the coop in the evening for nightly lock up if I weren't carrying a big jug of chicken scratch (cracked corn and oats) to noisily pour in their pan!