How much to feed?

[danmaric]

Ok, chicken Newbie here...we recently bought 17 chickens that are 8 weeks of age. My Brother in law is advising that they only get fed one time per day, in the afternoon as advised by the person we purchased them from. This does not sound right with the information I have been reading. Of coarse experience can never be replaced, but I feel that this type of feeding is maybe more from a big business attitude of hatch em, raise em and sell em. I am a real animal lover to put it mildly. Brother in Law and Sis n law think I have provided a Ritz hotel for the cute little birds. But I did my homework and tried to provide everything I could at the beginning to keep from having to learn the hard way. :-(. I am really looking forward to some good solid experienced chicken lovers advice!! Thanks.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I keep feed available all waking hours. They won't overeat.

 

[woody1]

A little more information would be helpful. What kind of chickens? Sometimes restricting feed on broilers may be advisable. Generally speaking though, for run-of-the-mill chicks, keep feed in front of 'em 24-7. Our replacement RIR pullets are about the same age as yours and they have 21% starter crumbles in front of 'em all the time. They get a very limited amount of cracked corn twice a day. The corn is mostly as a treat but we love our chickens so that's the way it is! That said, we feel that when they're really little, we avoid paste-ups with the corn and vinegar in the water. Mebe so or mebe no but that's what we do. Regards, Woody

 

[danmaric]

Hey thanks for the really fast replies!! These chicks are bought to be egg layers. They are part RHode Island Reds and not sure of the mix. But I have to say for my first chickens they seem to be pretty fine lookin birds! . I hope this is the information you were asking for. Thanks again.

 

[ErikaFord]

First off....how do I know if my 5-6 wk old RIRs are getting enough to eat.....especially when my lil brats keep doing this?

Shoveling it all out just after I fill it

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

First off....how do I know if my 5-6 wk old RIRs are getting enough to eat.....especially when my lil brats keep doing this?
Shoveling it all out just after I fill it

Elevate the feeder - either hang it or place it on a firm surface such as a block of wood, a stone block, etc - the lip of the dish needs to be no lower than chest level for the birds - this greatly reduces the feed waste via emptying of the container.

 

[ErikaFord]

Thanks grey, I tell ya, they have started to for bratty lil personalities, lol I putty them when they go outside, hehe