How much is too much?

[hempsteadjb]

I have 6 laying hens of which 4 are actually laying. Two late bloomers. I was checking my receipts for Chicken Feed (Laying Pellets) and I'm buying 25 lbs. a month and they are getting the mixed grain as only as a treat to get them back in the run...am I over feeding or is this about right? They are happy, fat and sassy

 

[azygous]

Well, you don't exactly want them fat, but happy and sassy are worthy goals.

On average, a chicken should be consuming around 1/2 cup of feed per day, not including the little bit of scratch you toss to them.

 

[RollTideChicken]

Hmm will chickens overeat? I leave feed out for the 24/7.

 

[song of joy]

You may be overfeeding if the hens are fat. That will eventually cause their egg production to decline.

 

[azygous]

No, most don't over-eat on dry layer feed as long as they're young and active.

 

[hempsteadjb]

I have the two gallon metal feeder from Tractor Supply and I keep food in it at all times...not too much because of the humidity here, it will mold really fast...

 

[lazy gardener]

25/30/6 = .139#/bird/day. General feed rates are .2 - .25#/day. They are probably getting a fair amount of feed from free range or from the "little bit" of scratch that you give them. If they look good and act well, if their crops are full at the end of the day, and if they are laying well, you should be fine.

Hmm will chickens overeat? I leave feed out for the 24/7.

Leaving feed out 24/7 can attract rodents.