How much feed for 9 laying hens?

[vjbakke]

Right now only 5 are laying the other 4 are not old enough yet. Aprox how much feed will 9 laying hens go through in a month? We were using just under 1 40lb bag per month with the 5 currently laying, will I need 2 bags a month? They get a good amount of greens this time of year.

 

[Fred's Hens]

You should likely plan on the larger amount. When all your birds are in full lay, your feed amount will increase. When fall comes, and the range is all dead and the insect population declines, your feed amount will increase. When winter comes and they need the calories to generate body heat, your feed amount will increase.

So, for planning purposes, yes. Then, you'll have to play it by ear. See how it goes, but it wouldn't surprise me that you'll require more than you are feeding now.

 

[teach1rusl]

I keep food available all the time. Back when I had 5 hens, I remember going through a bag of layer crumble every 6 weeks. It's estimated that chickens will eat an average of 1/4 lb of feed a day. So to make math simpler, 10 birds would eat about 2.5 lbs of feed per day, about 17.5 lbs per week. So maybe a bag and a half per month. If you free range several hours per day, then they will eat a lot less feed. I have 9 LF and 4 bantams who free range most of the day, and at this time of year I'm only going through a bag of feed a month (and that's free feeding). I use a lot more when the bugs and grass begin disappearing...