How much to feed pullets

[blackdog043]

but in a week or so I am planning on switching to a hanging feeder.

You might also want to look into a no waste feeder, they work great, here's a link.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...eed-bucket-feeder-for-about-3.834227/page-114

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I agree with everyone else.
You're not feeding dogs. You're feeding chickens that have voracious appetites. If no feed is available, they'll eat bedding, cardboard, feces, or whatever they can get into their mouths. Would you rather feed grower feed or whatever they can scrounge?
When feed is restricted, their growth is retarded.

They'd be better off with a 7 or 10 pound hanging feeder now.
Then they won't wear you out refilling that chick feeder - and they won't run out of food.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us
Everyone is spot on with their advice...

 

[Cycomiko]

I believe that feeder is only great at the chick stage. I'd invest in another, bigger feeder to have ample feed available. Assess how much they are eating, and you'll learn their needs fast. Like others have said, it's better to have too much than too little.

 

[Folly's place]

I was going to say the same thing; free choice feed, never an empty feeder. Premier1supplies.com sells a nice (ugly!) yellow plastic feeder that limits waste, and is a very good item to have. It's inexpensive too!
Mary

 

[Cycomiko]

I was going to say the same thing; free choice feed, never an empty feeder. Premier1supplies.com sells a nice (ugly!) yellow plastic feeder that limits waste, and is a very good item to have. It's inexpensive too!View attachment 1221583
Mary

I had no idea how much chickens could waste until I saw the ground under the hanging feeder and realized I needed a catch. So I placed a bucket under, and everyday emptied it back into the feeder. That was me being cheap. Fast forward and I began using a mash feed, in a shallow metal feed bowl, and wetted it all, put DE over it, and topped with mealworms for the extra protein. Haven’t wetted in a few days, have been above freezing in a week. Ordered a metal water heater and received today, likely place there food on it and wet again. Happy chickens make tasty eggs. 5-7 a day out of 7 layers, even in single digits.

 

[Folly's place]

In cold weather I use the metal heater bases for the galvanized waterers, and it works well. I like the three gallon size, but the two gallon size is fine too. The five gallon is very heavy, and the handle will break if carried when full.
In summer I prefer the plastic waterers from Premier that fill from the top. Try different things and you will develop preferences!
Mary

 

[AmazingRachel]

I upgrade to a bigger feeder since your changing it so often. Also, I found with the brooder type feeder that you have, a lot of the feed winds up at the bottom of the brooder box.

Also, there's no such thing as a chick overeating. They eat as much as they need.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That's exactly the type of hanging feeder I've found to limit waste of dry feed the most.
It comes in 10 pound and larger sizes.
It is one of the easiest to clean too.

 

[Welshies]

My feeder is 25 pounds and 8 chicks and 5 adults empty it in a week and a half.