How much Food do Baby Chicks need a Day

[Folly's place]

They are really hungry! Restricting feed is a bad idea, unless for those poor Cornishx birds.
Mary

 

[Parront]

okay i just went to check on them and there was probably about a cup of feed left they stopped eating and went to get water

Good, they are full for now!

 

[mommiesrcool]

The egg production will suffer without enough food. What is the reason you restrict the food?

im going to put out 3 cups of feed in the feeder a day and

Sounds like they are very hungry. Like 21 Hens said, they will gorge themselves because they are afraid they will not get enough food. They are old enough to start laying, but you said that they are not laying. Are you feeding them layer pellets all the time? For how long?

they've been eating grower feed and pellets mixed up for a week and 2 days ago is when they started eating only layer pellets but i am going to put out 3 cups of feed everyday for them and take it back at night

 

[Parront]

Are the Rocks able to go out and forage for more food in your yard?

 

[mommiesrcool]

Good, they are full for now!

yeah they looked happy but now its about to rain and they HATE water soo lets see if they are still happy lol

 

[Bear1978]

Welcome to BYC!!

So after reading through all the posts, @sammie12345, I think perhaps you’re over thinking this somewhat. Which is normal for new chick owners! I did and still do it sometimes!

I have a large feeder for my 6 11 week old pullets. They eat anytime they want. The only time they do NOT have access to food is in the coop when they’re roosting at night. And they’re fine. And during the day when they’re out and about they’ll graze and nibble as well as scratch up bugs on the ground. They are not like humans who would eat just because they’re bored or binge eat bcs they’ve had a bad day. They eat to survive. Not for indulgence. So just put feed out in the run area with them, refill it when as needed, let them eat to their hearts’ content and go on about your merry way! Don’t stress over this! They’ll be fine! Good luck!!

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Chickens should eat all the good food you can give them. All day long! In the wild, chickens eat during the daylight hours, rest when they get full or hot, and stop eating at dusk! Listen to Mother Nature! or Papa Nature!

 

[mommiesrcool]

Are the Rocks able to go out and forage for more food in your yard?

yes they have a fenced in area it took about 60 feet of chicken wire to cover their area for the to run around its not covered on top

 

[mommiesrcool]

Welcome to BYC!!

So after reading through all the posts, @sammie12345, I think perhaps you’re over thinking this somewhat. Which is normal for new chick owners! I did and still do it sometimes!

I have a large feeder for my 6 11 week old pullets. They eat anytime they want. The only time they do NOT have access to food is in the coop when they’re roosting at night. And they’re fine. And during the day when they’re out and about they’ll graze and nibble as well as scratch up bugs on the ground. They are not like humans who would eat just because they’re bored or binge eat bcs they’ve had a bad day. They eat to survive. Not for indulgence. So just put feed out in the run area with them, refill it when as needed, let them eat to their hearts’ content and go on about your merry way! Don’t stress over this! They’ll be fine! Good luck!!

thank you and i will admit i was overthinking A LOT

 

[mommiesrcool]

Are the Rocks able to go out and forage for more food in your yard?

i don't think i can have chickens where i live but my neighbors said their fine with it