how much should I feed my chickens

willowtreecreek

In the Brooder
11 Years
May 10, 2008
81
2
39
Arkansas
my neighbor told my husband that I wasn't feeding my chickens enough and now he is all upset. I think I am feeding pleanty. Please give your thoughts. Here is what I do for 4 buff orpingtons.

They have a yard with access to grass, bugs etc. I have a gallon size waterers that I fill in the morning and refresh with cold water every afternoon. I have 2 feeders 1 is a quart size mason jar feeder. The other is a standard plastic "jar" feeder which is at least twice as large as the other one. I put fresh feed in both feeders every morning. In the afternoon the large one usually has quite a bit left and I refill the small one half way. When I go back in the morning neither is completly empty. I am also giving my girls lots of treats from the kitchen like lettuce, veggie peelings, grapes etc. They get AT LEAST a plateful everyday and sometimes more. They look healthy, they arent pecking, but my neighbor insists I am doing something wrong. Am I?
 
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Sounds to me like you're doing everything you should. What reason did the neighbor give for thinking you weren't feeding enough?

They should have feed available free choice, always. Sounds to me like that's what you're doing.
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We were out of town a few days and since she has chickens I felt comfortable asking her to look in on them and feed them everyday. This was just her statement to my husband when we returned.
 
Some people just haven't a clue.
How old are your birds? Are they growing? They may look a bit thin at that point and my 2 mth old BO look thinner than the other breeds but I assure you they eat everything and then some. They are just growing up!
If you have chick feed or layer pellets, depending on their age, in front of them at all times they are fine! And if they are running and catching bugs, eating grass and drinking fine, I wouldn't worry. Your neighbor doesn't sound like any sort of expert to me.
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