How much to feed? I'm reading and reading, but...

[LaurieAC]

Thanks, all! Great thoughts.

The reason I stopped having crumble available 24/7 is because they didn't want to free range. They were content to sit in their large pen all day long. I wanted to encourage them to get out already.

They seem to be doing really well. Full of energy, always grooming, running around, nice feathers etc. So I think they are eating enough. They should be laying by the end of September and that will give me more information.

This week (after posting and reading here) I started giving them more crumble, and have gone through 25 lbs in the past couple of days, plus the food scraps and flax meal. I still have to close the pen when they free range, otherwise they go right back in and wait to be served. Can chickens get lazy?

 

[MayberrySaint]

I wish I had the same problem. Mine won't hardly go in the coop to eat and drink once they are let out to free-range. I've had to keep them "cooped" up until about 11 AM to make sure they eat their laying ration.

 

[ozark hen]

chickens can be trained.

 

[Buckguy20]

Quote:
When they start laying. you will want to switch to pellets. For whatever reason, mine don't eat as many pellets as crumbies. I guess pellets are more filling and take a little longer to digest. I guess Crumbies are less filling but taste great! (at least to a chicken).
Monty

 

[Napalongtail]

We free range and have some in pens. As a rule we feed 1/4 cup per bird per day. Some days they eat it all other days they have left overs. Those with left overs still get their 1/4 cup. If at the end of 3 days they still haven't cleaned up we will skip a day. Rarely does a pen not clean it up on the day they are skipped. And yes they do get spoiled, lazy, and always act starved especially if it is something new. I think they just like variety

 

[LaurieAC]

Quote:
When they start laying. you will want to switch to pellets. For whatever reason, mine don't eat as many pellets as crumbies. I guess pellets are more filling and take a little longer to digest. I guess Crumbies are less filling but taste great! (at least to a chicken).
Monty

I have some older hens who are laying who get the pellets-- and you are right, they don't eat nearly as much. And they are very dainty about it. They never act like they are starving to death! lol Teenagers do need their food, I guess.