How much feed will I need for 8 free range in the backyard hens?

[peach]

I will "chime" as well. I have my coop in a spot that doesn't drift. ( A must) but doesn't get any sun either in the winter. Shade always. They do fine with the light in the coop on and it's only on for 12hrs. According to this post I think I will extend it to 14. I use a general 60 watt bulb, nothing special.

 

[susie91]

I'm in Maryland as well... on the mouth of the Patuxent. I used 100 lb of layers mash in about 10 weeks over this winter for 7 standard layers (NHReds, BR, WR). During the Summer/Fall, I used half that much. It was a particularly cold winter (as you know) with no foraging available. I have a 10lb feeder that I would fill every 10 days or so and recently I've had to fill every 2/week! thank goodness it's warming up!

Lori

 

[cmom]

The birds will eat grass and bugs. My birds free range. 40 birds go through 50+ lbs of feed a week. I would guess that you will go through 8 MOL pounds for your 2/3 pullets and 4 chicks per week.