how much feed will i use in one month

[SassyKat6181]

I have 6 Barred Rock and 6 Black Sexlink hens that are 18 weeks old. They are on the starter/grower still and consuming a 50# bag every 2-3 weeks. They are also inside for now, without any range outdoors.

 

[JulieNKC]

I have 5 BO's and 4 silkies. They go through about a 40# bag a month, a little less since it's cold and they are getting more scratch. On warmer days I try to let them out a lil, but right now they spend about 90% time inside for the BO's. My silkies have yet to leave the coop, lol.

 

[Robo]

I would say a bag of pellets a month. If you mix it with corn or scratch it lowers the cost considerably. I feed mine a 22% scratch that is only just under $10 a bag. It mixed 50% with KTA layer pellets would cost me about $16 a month. It is a lot less if you save lawn clippings throghout late summer so it is still partially green in the winter. They also will eat alfalfa hay or food scraps. I give mine some bread that the store throws away every week. It is high on salt so you have to feed it in moderation.

 

[the-bird-man]

okay thank you all for all the info. the spring/summer/fall will be much cheaper to feed them. i will also be growing a bunch of stuff for them too so hopefully i will save more on feed.

 

[kentucky jay]

i have 4 hens , 3 roos, turkens,, and 2 silkies (sex unknown ) ........ i went through a 50# bag of layer mash in 3 weeks , no free range , i also give them 1 handfull of shelled corn per day ,, plus any table scrapps , not too much on the scraps we hardly ever have leftovers .........

 

[Tala]

it's estimated about 1/4lb per hen per day, if that helps any.

Larger breeds eat a bit more but the OP mentioned Leghorns and they are thinner birds, more "economical" producers.
They do eat a bit more when it's cold out. I'm feeding some big piggy Marans girls too though. Probably 50# every 3 weeks here, which averages to about 0.23lbs per day per bird, probably slightly more to the Marans and slightly less to my Leghorns, but it averages about "normal" but I also feed them rolled oats on the side in another feeder. 50# of oats lasts about 2 months though

 

[plantmgr]

Is scratch the same as grit? Not sure if I just don't what we're talking about, or just suffering from different regional terms. I noticed some people on a different thread were talking in metric measurement - I was totally lost there.

 

[the-bird-man]

Quote:
it is my understanding that grit is like sand and scratch is like sunflower seeds and treats like that

 

[saym]

Grit is definitely just sand particles that goin the craw to agitate the food in there..Scratch is a combination of mainly corn, and other assorted seed...It's relatively inexpensive compared to regular feed, but doesn't supply any protien or other requirements they need, but it's something to DO..plus the corn in the mix gives them some heat energy..
I do not supply grit..they get that from scratching around in the dirt, and when I let them out..they come over and get particles out of the door mats going into the house..I also supply oyster shell in one of their baby feeders...that's always there for them to eat when they want..they don't eat a whole lot of it...I went to buy a bag of Oyster shells, and picked up a 5 pound sack of that...bless the store clerks heart, she said they had 50 lb bags for the same price...so I keep that in a dry cool place and share with my neighbors.

Black oil sunflower seeds (BOSS) are the ultimate treat...I feed those seperately..
I hope this helps!

 

[plantmgr]

Thanks a lot! That makes sense.