how much??

[Texasegglady]

I have 4 mature laying hens and 4 young (3 month old) pullets. They are all doing well, I just don't know how much to feed them. I feed them 50/50 mix of commercial laying pellets and hen scratch. Whether or not I feed them alot or a little, they always eat it all. I don't know if I'm over feeding my little darlin's.

Thanks, Michele

 

[masschix]

I have a feeder that fills when it starts to get to empty (got the idea from another thread), so it always has food in it. I guess you can't really overfeed them on the grain they are supposed to have, but could give them too much treats. (Please someone correct me if I'm wrong).

 

[lovemychicks9]

I have a big feeder in the run and one in the coop and I fill them every few days. I always keep food for them. You may want to switch the 3 month old to a grower formula as they are not old enough for the layer pellets yet and too much calcium is not good for them yet. Does your scratch grains have alot of corn in it? I have been told that alot of corn is bad for them in the warm weather as it makes them way to warm. It makes their metabolism work overtime and they get way too hot in this weather. You maybe could try black sunflower seeds or millet for them.

 

[speckledhen]

Leave a feeder full of layer pellets out 24/7. I don't mix any scratch in with it. The corn will make them way too hot in summer, too many carbs not enough protein. You are lowering their protein way down when you mix in scratch and possibly causing them to become too fat and have egglaying issues, IMO. They'll eat what they need and regulate themselves. Mine would just dump out all the layer and eat the corn if I did that.

 

[MissPrissy]

I agree with speckledhen. They need top quality feed available at all times. Scratch or corn is a treat, like candy. Using it in their feed dilutes their protein source.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:
Exactly as Specklehen says.......

 

[chikenlady]

I agree with Speckled Hen. I have a large feeder that I have to add feed to every 3 days or so. I also bring them fruits and/or vegetables for variety.