How much feed? by volume

[Mrs. K]

I need an estimate, I do not have a set up to feed inside the house, and I do not want to do a continuous feed outside the house, because if it gets wet, it is ruined, and they seem to waste quite a bit of it. So I feed, and there is very little if any left over. Now I see on my sack, that is 16% protien, that I should feed 1.5 lbs per period, but they don't say what the period is? A day? That seems a bit much to me.

I have 9 chickens, just starting to lay, several have been laying for about a month, and I am sure the others are getting closer, and may have already started, as I can't tell for sure who is laying which color. Anyway, I have been filling up a coffee can that holds 1 lb, and 13 oz of coffee, which seems to have about a similar weight as feed? Am I way too short? I usually feed table scraps, limited range 15-20 minutes a day, and some alfalfa hay.

I do not have a scale to measure, though, I could take a container to town and measure it at the grocery store I guess. mk

 

[DawnSuiter]

I use the guideline of 3 oz per day per hen and then from there I use my judgement as to wether or not this is enough or too little food for an entire day... how long before they are out of food, how fast do they eat it, etc.

I'm sure you'll get other good opinions shortly!

 

[Mrs. K]

so a little less than half a cup per bird?

 

[Imp]

Mrs. K :

so a little less than half a cup per bird?

I think this is too little. I believe you are thinking of liquid volume measurement rather than dry weight measurement. I think 3 ounces of dry feed would be closer to 1 cup+.

We were just talking about this on the Washington thread a couple weeks ago. We came to the conclusion the 25 chickens would go through about 1- 50# bag a week. So your 9 birds should go through about 1-50# bag of feed in about 3 weeks. Sounds like you are not free ranging much, or giving lots of treats.

I have 4 hens that free range all day and get a big salad every night. A 50# bag lasts me like 6 months. In the summer they barely eat any feed. In the winter the'll eat about 2 cups total each day, along with the salad. I keep the bowl full all the time, so they have free access.

Imp- Hope this helps

 

[Mrs. K]

I wish I could free range all day! The predators would eat them all in a week! will check the feed level, i think I am a bit short, and thanks for the advice. this is a great site, and you all are so friendly. mk