How often do you feed?

[Henry&Friends]

I throw a couple of cupfulls of layer crumble, along with any kitchen scraps in the kitchen when I let them out in the morning. When I get home around 3ish, they get up to a half a loaf of bread. The rest of the day they free range, and if they don’t eat everything raccoons and opossums are more than happy to clean up for me

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sounds like you're feeding whole grain mash type feed? If so, try fermenting it, to prevent them from wastefully picking out only the pieces they want.

I provide fermented feed in the morning (about 1/2 cup per bird) and then free choice dry pellets rest of the day.

 

[Al Gerhart]

It is best for laying hens and broilers to have feed available 24/7. Use a good treadle feeder with a counterweight and spring loaded door, installed correctly and train the bird using the instructions and not common sense. Chicken feed does attract rats and mice but only if you use the wrong feeder.
A good feeder will have a lip on front that projects back into the feed bin and that will stop 95% of the birds that rake feed. For the other 5%, get a feed lip extension to solve the raking. Avoid mixed grain feed as birds will try to rake the feed to get to the tasty bits, or just use a good feeder. Do a forum search for treadle feeders and you will run across our feeder and a review by Howard E. that is very good. Howard E. also wrote one heck of a post on getting rid of rats, best I have ever seen. But the first step is sanitation and that means a proper treadle feeder with a spring loaded door and a counterweight. All the other treadle feeders can be pushed open by rats.

 

[FortCluck]

I feed 6 cups of feed for layers, 5 cups a feed for the chicks every day. I wait until they're low and refill as necessary. They always have feed here.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That's why pellets are such a good option. Each bite has all the available nutrients.
Make sure the feed is fresh. That could add to pickiness.