How much feed?

[MissPrissy]

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Chickens are not like alot of other animals that will eat just to eat. They eat what they need and stop.

In this cold weather I would suspect if you really believe feed is disappearing beyond what your chickens should be eating (1/2 pound each per day) that you most likely also have rats and mice eating available feed as well loss from it being billed out when the chickens do eat.

 

[chickiebaby]

Just curious as to why everyone pays for oyster shell so gladly? I dry the eggshells, grind them up and feed them right back to the ladies. They love em and never a weak shelled egg these days.

I'm figuring maybe there's an additional reason for the oyster shell that I just dont know. What am I missing here?

 

[Akane]

The other seeds in bird seed mix are extremely low energy. It probably off sets the sunflower seeds. I would think it would add even less to their diet than scratch.

 

[crooked stripe]

I must say, and not picking on anyone here, why is there so much discussion on treats? In reading all the product descriptions on feed all you need to feed them is their product. It has all that is needed for good nutrition. I understand the need for calcium supplements (if needed) but why all the need for the extras? In my opinion it is like giving a kid all the treats they want. Not necessary. A well balanced diet is what is needed. I do give treats sparingly but that is for my gratification and having my flock to respond to what I want them to do. I have never had a problem with shells or egg production. I guess to each their own. Enjoy your chickens they bring so much pleasure to ones life. John

 

[CovenantCreek]

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I can't speak for others, but I don't have the time or the inclination to go to that much trouble, nor do I have enough egg shells on a regular basis to keep up with their need for added calcium.

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It's probably more economical just to buy straight BOS rather than a wild bird mix -- unless you want to feed the wild birds, too. A lot of the seeds are likely to be missed by the chickens due to their small size as they pick out the good stuff (and in many cases even the wild birds won't eat them because the hulls are too hard).

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Nutrient supplements aren't treats. For flocks that are allowed to regularly eat anything other than commercially prepared feed (such as even small amounts of free-ranging) supplements enable the birds to make up for what isn't included in the non-commercial rations. My flock spends much of their day wandering around the property eliminating unpleasant bugs for me, but the bugs aren't nutritionally balanced. So when the flock returns to the coop, they have the nutrients available in supplements. They only eat what they need, both in terms of avoiding hunger and also in terms of meeting their needs. Right now, with much of the flock going through molt, it's the protein supplement that disappears the fastest. Followed by the oyster shell. The flax seed and kelp meal don't get touched that much.