How much to feed my NON laying hens?

[Ravens Haven]

Hello all,

I have 30 something chickens all around 24-28 weeks old and haven't gotten the first egg from any of them. There are speckled sussex, black sex links, and true Americaunas. Anywho, I have been feeding free choice a mix of layer pellet and 3 way scratch well I can't afford to feed free choice anymore they are going through 50lbs every 2-3 days so how much do they need each day to keep them fed. They have a huge pen which they have eaten down to pretty much bare stems but I will soon move them. I just need to know how much will be good to feed without going through my savings account...

Thanks
Autumn in Bremen, GA

 

[Mahonri]

That seems like a lot of feed. At present I have added a mix of higher protein content game bird feed to my layer feed and it made a huge difference in my girls. Egg production doubled in two weeks.

 

[chookchick]

50 lbs in 2-3 days!!

Try taking out the scratch, just give them a few handfuls a day to keep them busy. It is really low protein and nutrients, so they might be eating more to get their needs met. They need to have layer pellet free choice, but I would bring the feeder into the coop at night and make sure no rats or other vermin are getting to it. You must be feeding something else besides hens! Have you checked them for worms?

You could also supplement their feed with leftover produce, try getting some from your local grocer, very nutritious and keeps them busy.

 

[lauralou]

That seems like a lot of feed to me, too. I agree that something else may be eating the food. Possibly rats, mice. Or wild birds if they can get to it. My cats simply love it, and will eat chicken food every chance they get.

Also, could the birds be wasting the food by scratching in the feed pans and scattering food around? Some people use hanging feeders to prevent this.