How much feed?

[Secretlyspotted]

Yeah, I have a 3.5 yr old and a 1.5 yr old and the food waste around here was starting to drive me batty! We used to feed it to our dogs, but they got fat and obnoxious so we cut that out. I am not super concerned about feed costs. Heck, so far the chickens are the cheapest pets we have! (two dogs, two cats, a horse) I just want to make sure I am offering them enough food and it seems that I am.
As for the pellets, that seemed to waste less, but my chickens seem to like the crumble better. Is there any real difference between the two? Other than the obvious pellet vs dirt like appearance?

 

[ChickenLegs13]

I think if you are allowing your chickens to free range that you do not want to provide feed free-choice, meaning available 24 hours a day. You want the chickens to be motivated to go out and forage for food, and this will reduce the amount of feed they eat and you have to buy. So, I would just provide feed in the evening when you want the chickens to come back to the coop. In the mornings the chickens will be motivated to get out and hunt for food.

Hmmm...I been doing it bassackwards! I guess I thought they need a good nutritious well balanced meal to start their day. hahahha
I'm sure their nutrition is ok either way but I could use the cost reduction from evening feeding.
Thanks for pointing that out Bullitt. Owe you a beer.