How much to feed grown chickens?

[scythianlady]

Hey, I'm new here, and recently got four chicks. They're about 3-4 weeks old and I'm feeding them all the start/grow they can eat. However, I was wondering two things:

When can I start giving them treats?

Is there a limit to how much I should feed them once they start laying?

I'm not sure if chickens can get overweight or if it affects their health or laying, so any info/advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[eichenluft]

My chicks get as much chick starter as they want, it's always in front of them. My grown chickens (all egg-laying hens) get fed once/day, there are 10 hens and they are eating 3 scoops of a scratch/layer pellet mixture, scattered on the ground in their pen. Basicallty I feed them what they eat - so if they are cleaning it up, I'll increase the amount - if they are leaving it, I'll feed them less. They also free-range, so they get stuff around the farm in addition to the feed. Because they free-range they get plenty of exercise and I don't think they look fat to me.

molly

 

[keljonma]

Like people, chickens can be overweight; they also need exercise and proper nutrition. If you don't feed them to much corn or high fat items, they should be fine.

Our birds are almost a year old. They have feed, water, grit and oyster shell available free-choice 24/7. They also forage our farm, so eat much less feed in the warmer months.

 

[chickbea]

Laying hens are less likely to be overweight than other breeds, but it can happen. Fat hens are more prone to laying problems than a fit hen.
If your girls have free range time, this shouldn't be a problem as they get plenty of exercise that way. If they do have to be confined, lots of different levels in the coop is good - they get exercise hopping around, and it helps combat boredom.