How often do you feed treats?

[JaciesCoop]

I make up a big container full of stuff. Cooked rice, speg, veggies, cheese, melon, and whatever is left over that's suitable.
I feed the 6 I have a big scoop full in the mornings. I was giving it to them twice a day but noticed they were not eating their regular food as much
The container in the picture will last about 4 days. This way everyone gets something they like.

Is once a day too much?

Jacie

 

[roadrunner]

I give mine treats everyfew days.
I was doing like you are and giving them some every day a noticed that same thing.
I noticed too they were getting kinda fat lol

Roadrunner

 

[RoyalHillsLLC]

The thing to be careful of is how much protein they are getting if you want them to lay. I don't know how much protein you are giving in your treats, but if they eat too much scratch feed, for example, they quit laying. that is why laying pellets are higher protein than scratch, which is only about 8%.
I give treats once a day and they still eat plenty of their feed.

 

[Standard Hen]

I usually do treats a few times a week, depending on leftovers, but mostly on the weekends when I am home more. Pretty soon I will be getting a bag of scratch or cracked corn for their winter treat and will most likely throw them a couple of handfuls when I get home from work. I am now keeping them in their pen until I get home and then letting them out for a couple of hours. Soon all the leaves will be off the trees and they will become hawk bait and I am NOT coming home from work to mayhem! This way I know they are all safe in their pens while I am not here.

 

[Frozen Feathers]

Mine get leftovers everyday, but it's really not that much, maybe a cup or 2 of food... and they have to fight the goats for it. I've also started feeding scratch for the winter,

a 2 lb scoop worth that I throw all over the yard so they have to work to find it. Other then that they just get layer. By the time snow flies, I will be adding straight cracked corn right into their feed to keep them toasty. Last year I did half an half and everyone did really well through the winter. Egg production did drop, but that can be blamed on the shorter days as well.