How much feed? How to put weight on my flock?

[Mary Galbraith]

How much feed do chickens need cup wise?
My 25 chickens normally free range due predators no more. Usually I just throw them a couple scoops until recently they have been real decent weight but as it's getting cold they are dropping weight. They have a large run but get no free range time.
How many cups of layer crumbles should my flock of 25 heavy weight birds be eating in a day?
Thank you in advance.

 

[Mary Galbraith]

Also forgot to put how do I put weight on my flock quickly?

 

[Parront]

Here is a nice chart:https://www.dunlaphatchery.net/Information/FAQ/default.aspx
You will have to do a little math, but this will get you started!

 

[JedJackson]

If you want them to put on weight just make food always available and let them eat what they want. So long as it's a well balanced feed with all the nutrients they need in the right amounts there won't be a problem.

 

[ChickenOwner2313]

We just have a feeder we fill up every day that works just fine for our chickens. They aren't starving, but they aren't too fat either.

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed. Free choice. You might consider fermenting their feed, and giving them some animal protein. If you have been giving them all they can/will eat, and you think they are underweight, consider having a fecal float test done to see if parasites are an issue.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Agree with JedJackson & lazy gardener, it's the quality of feed & they'll eat as much as they need, check for worms. Less treats the better, I recently learned that. I ferment my feed; no feed waste & nutritional benefits plus less stinky poop (firmer). My girls don't free range, I feed them about 2 - 3x day, when I close up their enclosure I toss 1/8 c of scratch/BOSS. Since I stopped giving so much treats they're putting on weight.

 

[Molpet]

supposedly 1/4 to 1/3 LB a chicken.. different feeds weigh different so a cup may or may not be a lb
I was feeding 150lb (before fermenting) a week to about 60 chickens of various ages and 7 turkeys this summer. Some free range time , due to predators.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Sorry don't mean to hijack you thread but curious
@Moplet are you fermenting now? If so how much feed are you going through now, curious. I only allowed 4 - 6 hens, a 50# bag lasts me about 2 months.

 

[Molpet]

Sorry don't mean to hijack you thread but curious
@Moplet are you fermenting now? If so how much feed are you going through now, curious. I only allowed 4 - 6 hens, a 50# bag lasts me about 2 months.

I didn't word that right.. I ferment 150lb...
not sure what I am going through since I processed 6 chickens and a turkey this week or so.. but the chicken nuggets keep growing and 12 eggs under a broody .. 8 cockerels to process in the next week or 2...so it will be about the same... 2 or 3 turkeys to go in a month LOL