How often do you feed? Settle a squabble!

[obaan1]

Add a button: They have access to feed and water 24/7

 

[HHandbasket]

There was no choice for my vote.

I fill their feeder about once every week to 10 days or so, more in the winter because they eat more. They don't eat much feed in general, though, mostly free range. On colder mornings, which is pretty much daily for the last few months, they get warm oatmeal and flaxseed courtesy of Farmer Lew. I call the flock his "harem", and he spoils them way more than I do.

We just ran out of feed when I filled my feeder yesterday so I do need to go buy some. We have 7 young ladies in the yard (6 laying, 1 still a pullet), and we've gone through two 50-pound sacks and one 25-pound sack of chicken feed in the 9 months we've had the girls. A man I spoke to at the feed store says his 6 ladies go through about 25 pounds a month and more in the colder months, but he does not free range his birds. Just goes to show you how different everyone's feeding schedules are, depending on their flock and their situation.

 

[The Kibble Goddess]

I voted that I feed once a day, but what I really meant was that I checked the feeder and water bowl each morning and refill if necessary. They get scraps daily, but the delivery timing is dependent on what else I'm doing that day.

 

[HHandbasket]

Quote:
Yeah, what you said. LOL.

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
Pretty much the same thing here, but occasionally feed in this or that feeder "goes away" before I get to fill it. They all free range and have access to any of the several feeders I have out for them.

I do top 'em off once a day and have noticed which feeders get the most use...

 

[bluere11e]

Quote:
X2

 

[mississippifarmboy]

I check all the coops and pens twice a day at the very least, but they have feed and water 24/7. I think even the smallest feeder in the smallest pen would last around three days without refilling, but I top all the feeders off every morning and night.

 

[gritsar]

I just nulled my vote because it lacked the option I use. I check their feeders once a day and re-fill as necessary. They have food available to them whenever they want it.

I give scratch in the mornings (evenings in the wintertime) and will throw out leftovers in the evenings, if I have any.

 

[AinaWGSD]

The best answer is whatever works best for you. I feed first thing in the morning, then I pick up the outside feeders each evening when I close up the coop. There is also a hanging feeder in the coop 24/7 that I top off about once every 7-10 days or so whenever I scoop the extra poop out from under the roost. In the summer, I have a hanging waterer in the coop but when the temps are threatening freezing I use a rubber bowl that I put out in the morning and refill at least once a day (usually around lunch time). I also usually go out and give them some sort of treat around lunch time, but not always.

 

[acid_chipmunk]

We feed and water after we get home from work in the afternoon. Some days we don't do either though, since the feeders hold enough for about 3 days and waterers for about 2.