how much food

[gmcdeadhead]

i have 6 - 6 month old bantums , can i keep a feeder in there pen 24/7? or is this to much food for them? there in a pen/coop like the wichita cabin coop. then they have a small outside pen i let them go in. some one said they just feed there chickens once in the morning and once at night . which is the right way to feed?

 

[TallChickMagnet]

I have been tought to let them have access to food at all times. I keep a full feed trough in their pen, and I give them snacks and scratch at different times a day. So, Lay Mash at all times, and treats from time to time.

 

[mickey328]

We keep the food and water in the pen as well; we want to encourage them to use the coop only for sleeping, laying and shelter during nasty weather. We have 6 hens and fill 2 quart sized feeders each morning; they free feed all day on both the feed and various treats...since they're really good layers, I give them extra protein pretty much every day. On days when they get more treats (trimmings, grain, leftover meats and such) they eat less of the feed. You just need to monitor them...if they seem to be getting too fat, you might need to cut down, but in general they'll eat enough to maintain themselves.

 

[BuffOrpington88]

Free feeding is ideal, and they will not eat too munch, they will self-regulate.

 

[gmcdeadhead]

i'm just gonna fill the feeder up and leave it where i had it in the pen.

 

[Melabella]

We keep the food and water in the pen as well; we want to encourage them to use the coop only for sleeping, laying and shelter during nasty weather. We have 6 hens and fill 2 quart sized feeders each morning; they free feed all day on both the feed and various treats...since they're really good layers, I give them extra protein pretty much every day. On days when they get more treats (trimmings, grain, leftover meats and such) they eat less of the feed. You just need to monitor them...if they seem to be getting too fat, you might need to cut down, but in general they'll eat enough to maintain themselves.

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