How Much Feed?

[1CknMoM]

I've been keeping feed available and they have a rather large run, but they act as if they're starving. Is this normal? Should I get a 3rd feeder? I have 17 hens?

 

[Marlinchaser]

Unless raising Cornish Cross, you should have feed available 24/7 so if they are emptying the feeder, by eating, not billing out then you should get another or a bigger feeder, if they are billing out, you need to get one with a higher lip.

 

[1CknMoM]

Thanks so much...no one in my neck of the woods have chickens, and this site has been a God send. Thanks so much

 

[gkeesling]

I have a 10 lb feeder for my 19 chickens. I fill it up every day and they have free choice of food. I go through a 40 lb bag of feed in about a week. they always act hungry when I come out to the run though. Sometimes I'll give them treats like the oats and corn I feed my steers, or sometimes a head of cabbage. They chow down on that stuff like they haven't eaten in a week.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
Well yes, its like kids with Desert, they can be stuffed, but offer them something special, and they act like they havent seen food in weeks.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Normal. Chickens are like that, especially when other chickens are around. Selfish little twits, really.
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Layers under normal production eat 4-6 ounces of feed a day. This is without supplementation, such as forage or green feeds.
This means 17 producing hens will eat an astonishing 6.375 unsupplemented pounds of feed per day!
As long as you can process that much through the flock each day, then you should be doing all right.

They also need 1-2 inches of feeding space to ensure they get to the feed. So check that out.