How Much Feed Should I Give My Hens?

[chickencoop789]

I am ordering chicks from Meyer hatchery and they will arrive in August. I want 3 hens to start a flock. Im ordering 5 chicks because I may end up with an accidental rooster and some of the chicks may not survive. Im ordering 1 barred rock, 1 buff orpignton, 1 rhode island red, 1 columbian wyandotte, and 1 golden laced wyandotte. Lets say that I end up with 3 hens. How much feed will they eat each week? I will be giving them organic feed that comes in a 10 lb bag. How long will 10 lbs last?

 

[Cotton42]

I would guess about 1 and a half to 2 weeks when fully grown. Of course, they will eat a lot less when they're little! They will eat less with free ranging and treats too.

 

[Den in Penn]

The basic amount of food they eat in a day is 1/4 to 1/3 pounds of food per chicken a day. So with three birds that works out to 3/4 to 1 lb a day, or 51/4 to 7 lbs a week. That's total am out they should eat in a a day. So with other foods given it will last longer. With chicks of course the eat less and eat more as they grow. A chick will eat approximately four pounds in the first 8 weeks. Of course they waste a lot too.