How much to feed?

[gsim]

Quote:
I think that makes my consumption 2 oz per day per chicken in my case, if I am not mistaken. Update: I just weighed it and it is a 3# scoop and that works out to 2oz each. Mine do get lots of greens and other treats too though.

 

[saladin]

It may very well be. I use to be a math wiz, but those days are now long past. lol. My 4oz is dry measurement not weight.

I do wish I only went through a 50 lb bag in three weeks: I envy you. I go through a 50 lb bag every 2 days. I guess I need to get rid of some chickens! saladin

 

[FrenchToast]

wow, I think we are way overfeeding our girls. We have about 30 which include RIR, BO,EE, and BR's
We go thru at least a 50lb of 19% protien crumbles per week. We are in Northern WI and it is very very cold so I'm sure that makes a huge difference I'm sure. I've been giving some greens about every other day.

Anyone else in the freezing states want to jump in and let us know how much you feed.

I would think there would be a big difference between a 4 oz dry measure vs 4 oz by weight. ??????? I'm going to weigh 4 oz and see how many dry measure oz's it is.

 

[saladin]

That will interesting to see. I'm not at home; so, I'm no help in the deal.

I always thought cold weather made a difference too, but all my yankee friends feed the same as I do; and there is a big difference in our temps.

Now, in the summer when it is over 100F my birds don't eat as much naturally. saladin

 

[Ms~Silkie~Girl]

just fill up your feeder, they regulate how much they need to eat

 

[gsim]

I can buy nothing cheaper than the feed I buy now except scratch grain which is a dollar or two less/bag. All other things such as produce costs more and is only to keep some greens/enzymes in their diets. I wish they would like honeysuckle and privit. I have tons of that here.

I think Bananas are around 50 cents/lb and cabbage around 70 cents/lb and everything else is higher yet. I need to investigate the purina mill store on Middlebrook pike here to see if I can buy layena any cheaper than tractor supply has it or their dumor brand. I do not know of a grain mill here. If I did, I would look into buying bulk as I understand it is around 35% of the bagged price of crumbles or pellets per pound. One ton minimum from what I have read. And then there is storage which must be metal drums to prevent mice from getting it. I suppose new steel drums with lids would be really good for that. A must to buy pellets if buying lots in advance as I do. Pellets stay fresher and are less likely to mildew.

 

[saladin]

Ms~Silkie~Girl :

just fill up your feeder, they regulate how much they need to eat

I could not disagree more! A chicken is just like a dog: they will eat and eat and eat. Heck, a chicken is even more like American kids. They will eat more than they ever need and be fat. Now a chicken carries their fat differently than a human. If you truly want to know how fat a chicken is you have to kill it because much of the fat is internal not external as in a human.

Feed what they will eat in 10 minutes (which is around 4 oz) and take it away. They will be much healthier.​

 

[gsim]

Quote:

50# every two days!!! See if there is a mill within 30 miles or so. Buy bulk by the ton, and store it in new steel drums. i doubt you would even need ten drums. It could be that you could seal the drums with caulk after filling and bolting the clamp on the lid. I would do pellets as they are likely to last longer before going stale. Better to keep indoors even so, for lower humidity.

 

[saladin]

I do go to the mill. Once a month: load up too. Remember, I've been doing this a long long time. saladin

 

[eggboy]

I feed my chickens Dumor layer pellets from tractor supply is Purina layena any better?