this winter i will not be using heat lamps, i hope to have a fully insulated coop this year, so i was thinkign i would give the chicks some hot mash in the morning and evening before they go to bed, just wondering how much per bird i should give a day, they will still have dry food 24/7 but i know i like a bowl of oatmeal or a cup hot chocolate after i come out of the cold, so i figured it would be a good treat for the birds too.
It depends on how many birds you have. I am a little confused: If your chicks are not fully feathered during the winter, then you will need a heat lamp out there. If your birds are chicks NOW, and will be adults come winter, then they should be fine without a heat lamp. You may have losses to the cold, but even I have those in the desert.
Think small. If most LF eat about 1/4 pound of feed per day, try 1 tablespoon or less per bird with warm water added; moistened feed expands and the birds don't eat as much as you might think in one sitting. I add leftover fruit warmed in the microwave when my children don't finish an apple, etc. Decrease amount of feed if adding extras. You want no leftovers.
