How much should they eat?

[MattalynsBarn]

My chickens are 18 weeks old (Not laying yet) and they haven't been eating as much since we started giving them scratch (A few weeks ago) and they do seem a little small. They're Easter Eggers and Speckled Sussexs. What should they look like now?

 

[Judy]

If you're giving them enough scratch that you can see a difference in feed consumption, you're probably giving them too much. Most scratch is only about 8% protein.

 

[MattalynsBarn]

Okay, so less scratch. Thanks!

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

Yup, less scratch. Even then you won't notice much of a difference, since both of those birds are more tuned for egg-laying than they are meat, especially if they came from a hatchery. My 2 EEs and 3 RIRs eat well, but are by no means fat. They don't have that much meat on them either.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Scratch is just a treat. Use it sparingly because they need high protein.