How much feed is enough feed?

[cupman]

Hey, all, I have around 35 chicken/guineas.. and 3 turkeys. In the morning I fill up their water and a few different feeders to avoid the frenzy. The second I let them out(usually 6:30-7:30) they rush the feeders and water. Their feed is gone by about 12pm(noon)-1pm(16-18ish lbs/day) and they go to bed around 8. Sometimes I'll give them some feed around 6 and they go nuts. They lay eggs accordingly and everything but it disturbs me how they flock to my feed at 6. I know birds are, well, kind of dumb.. are they like fish where they just eat any time they see food? Feed is getting expensive, but I don't want to underfeed my pets... have any of you experienced folks figured out what is necessary and what is overdoing it?

 

[greenegglover]

I fill my feeders in the morning and they are low by evening time but not empty. I've heard that they can start feather pecking / fighting if they do not have food. I would add a larger feeder or another feeder. I wouldnt want to go to bed hungry.

 

[cupman]

Hey yeah good point.. I have these nifty feeders I built but they are all from when I had like 12 birds.. never a competition. Maybe I'll check the construction forum and find a good feeder for a big flock.

 

[nurse_turtle]

It depends a lot on if your birds free range and have access to the lawn and all the goodies it holds. When I let my birds out in the morning around 9 am, I throw an almost full solo cup of scratch, same amount of Layena pellets, and a half solo cup of black oiled sunflower seeds. They get supper leftovers along with any other leftover food can find. I also supplement with home cooked foods. I make a huge pot of macaroni and tomatoes for about $3.00 and it lasts for days. Chickens and other fowl rush to food because their DNA demands it. They are very food driven animals. Feel the breast bone area of your birds to see if it's caved in on each side or if you can feel breast meat there. To decrease feed used, supplement with cheap food, even if you cook it. Pastas with really cheap cans of vegetables can be made in bulk and will last for days. Also check with your produce department discount rack for super cheap, over ripe produce.

 

[cupman]

Yeah, my birds normally free range but I am trying to break them into using a new coop.. I kept them away for two weeks and the day I let them out they sat and stared at their old coop. I think you guys have helped me... I think if I disassembled their old coop they would focus more on being chickens... back in the day 100 pounds would last 3 weeks.. now it is as short as 8 or 9 days. Thanks, I think I know what I will do from here!

 

[devora]

I know birds are, well, kind of dumb.. are they like fish where they just eat any time they see food?

Well, not sure what's 'dumb' about wanting to eat!

The best way to be sure you're not underfeeding is to give them food 24/7. Easy peasy.

 

[growyourbrew]

The feed bags usually tell you how much feed is needed per bird. I usually don't feed a lot (expense) and supplement with grass and weeds and food salvaged from the food bank (food that's not quite fit for human but OK for livestock). You can also try grocery stores for scraps but my stores won't give them out (they will only throw it away). The food bank however, is OK with giving us what they can't use. Just ask them for scraps for compost. Some are OK for chickens, some get tossed into the compost, and some are just trash.

 

[ChickNhood]

Usually a half pound per bird per day is more than enougj feed