How much should I feed 2-3 chickens a day?

[StevenMNielson]

I haven't found much information about how much to feed hens. I am going to be getting 2-3 hens this weekend, and as a very first timer (especially after reading about 'breast bumps' from overfeeding) I am concerned that I am going to royally screw this up.

To sound absolutely new: How much and what should I feed chickens regularly? Is it bad to free feed and water them in the coop or run?

Thanks!

 

[ranchhand]

It depends, but first, congrats on your first chickens!

It they are a meat bird breed then there may be some recommendations in that topic area.

If they are layers, feed them all they will eat. It's free feed here all the time, because I only have layers and have never had an obese one.

Can't wait to hear more about your hens!

 

[StevenMNielson]

Great! I guess I won't be too concerned about the little things. i was planning on free feeding, but read some articles about birds over-eating and getting lopsided... I've never owned a chicken before, and am trying to learn as much as possible about them before I dive into it this weekend.

My coop is almost done, and my layers should love the abode. I am arranging to pick up two year old RIR, with a possibility of another breed.

Regarding Oysters as grit - Living in Silverdale I can get expired Oyster shells at the beach. Can I just let them pick at the shells, or do I need to purchase or grind the shells down?

It seems like I can expect a bird to eat a 1/4 pound of feed in a day... is that what you experience?

Thanks!

 

[Stan]

I have two Buff Orpington hens that have been laying for two months. I feed them 50% (by weight) Purina Layena well mixed with 50% Purina Flock Raiser. I track their feed consumption very carefully....they are free-choice fed and consume 0.25 pounds per hen per day. They are also free-choice fed oyster shells and granite grit (layer size). They are not free-ranged. Under this diet, my two hens are averaging 13.5 eggs per week and one of the hens has laid 32 (to date) consecutive daily eggs. I hope that this helps you in feed planning.

With respect to oyster shells and grit... It is my understanding that oyster shells are consumed for the calcium balance in their diet....being digested quickly for that purpose, and should not be considered grit. Granite Grit moves from the crop to the gizzard, stays in the gizzard and with muscular contractions of the gizzard grinds up the food for proper digestion (to make up for the lack of teeth in chickens). The Granite Grit also gets slowly ground up in the process of muscular contractions of the gizzard and as the grit becomes smaller, get processed with the digested food, out of the intestine track. I have heard of a 15 to 20% reduction in feed consumption with proper grit sizing over not being fed grit...so as I see it, grit is important.

 

[clothdiaperingmom]

Free feeding all of my chicks here.

 

[cappy]

My understanding is do not overfeed meat birds. Laying chickens need access to feed all the time. Mine have a feeder in the run and I fill it about once a week. That is for 8 hens that free range during the day.

Ken

 

[fiberart57]

If you free feed it's a good idea to let them free range for exercise. Just sitting around the coop can cause them to eat out of boredom.

Mary

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
They do get lopsided because thier crops on on the right side of their chests. It's ok though, that is just how chickens work. They fill the crop throughout the day and the food works it's way thru and the crop goes down overnight when they're not eating.
As far as oyster shell goes, I'd just buy it at the feed store. It's pretty inexpensive and I think it would be a huge pain to clean and grind it yourself.

 

[pardenx3]

All of mine, both layers and meaties keep food in their feeders 24/7. They all do just fine. The meaties though, have food all through the day and then if they are out, no more until the next morning.