How often do you feed?

[IndianaGreg]

I rid of my Buff Orphingtons. Now I have 11 Rhode Island Reds. My Buffs would eat anything I put out there and as much of it as they could get.
Now the RI Reds seem to be picky eaters. I only feed organic non-gmo and they pick out certain parts and leave the rest.
Am I feeding to much or to often or what do you all think?
Thanks for any help...

 

[Hybridchucks]

F

 

[Keziah]

I usually give my girls layena pellets in a large feeding bin so they can eat as much as they need. Chickens have a natural system that doesn't let them get overfed. You might not be feeding enough. I also throw scratch grain in their pasture to peck at throughout the day.

 

[imnukensc]

My chickens have feed available 24/7/365.

 

[AsaDotJava]

My birds have an age-appropriate feed available at all times. We refresh food bins and waters every morning, and check on things several times throughout the day. We give scratch grains and treats whenever the mood strikes. Chickens won't overeat.

 

[kerbotx]

Chickens have preferences, like we all do! They may not like the pellet size, they may prefer more protein, or less molasses... Have you tried wet feed? It requires a separate feeder, since it's a little messier, but you just wet the feed down with water. Some chickens like it really soaked through, so it's a mash, others like it to be more grainy. Or you could try fermenting your feed. I use rain gutters for the wet feed, that I give in the morning, but they also have 2 hanging feeders with layer pellets 24/7, and 2 dishes just for dry crumbles. 90% of the diet should be feed, only 10% for veggies/scratch/treats.

 

[Matilda Belle]

My birds have feed, water, grit and oyster shell available at all times.

 

[FortCluck]

I give my chickens All Flock from Nutrena (I have ducks and roosters too), they have access to it all day. I fill their feeders once they're low. I have 10 chickens, 4 are extra large breeds and eat a lot more than the others. They free range all day too and I give scraps after dinner which includes lots of veggies, fruits, sometimes meat, and sometimes pasta.

My chicks have feed 24/7 too. My chickens don't overeat. Once they're full, they stop eating.

I've never really seen a chicken overeat. If your chicks aren't looking skinny, I would assume they're eating what they need and leaving what they don't need. Maybe they don't like the feed... I was feeding a different brand of feed and my chicken started getting skinny because they didn't like it so I went back to All Flock (they didn't like Purina Flock Raiser crumbles). The store that I buy my feed from had run out of the All Flock so I had no choice. Now I buy 2 bags at a time so I don't ever run into that situation again.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I only feed organic non-gmo and they pick out certain parts and leave the rest.

Yeah , that happens with whole grain feeds like this.

I only buy ground up feeds turned into pellets or crumbles.

I have feed and water available 24/7 in my coops.

GC

 

[Gray Farms]

Once a day, only what they'll eat in a day. Excess feed can attract mice and rats.