How Often Should You Feed Your Flock?

[peach2727]

We Are Currently Feeding Our Chickens Corn And A Powdered Mixture Here In Ecuador Only In The Morning.

In The Afternoon, We Give Them Alfalfa, Lettuce, Veggies.

Should We Be Feeding Them Solid Food More Times A Day Than Just In The Morning?

Thanks For The Info.

 

[acid_chipmunk]

My chickens have access to food and water 24/7. Then they can eat when they are hungry and don't gorge themselves.

 

[peach2727]

We Have 400 Chickens Now As We Just Acquired 200 More.

A Vet Told Us Here They Should Be Eating 100-110 Grams A Day Per Chicken Of Solid Food And As Much Veggies As They Want.

When We Free Feed, They Eat Much More Than That.

Vet Said They Will Overeat.

Nobody Has Informed Me How Many Times A Day To Feed Them If We Are Putting Out A Pre-determined Amount.

Help!!

 

[trilyn]

Quote:
Mine too!

 

[acid_chipmunk]

What kind of chickens do you have? If they are meat birds, they need to have their food taken away at night after they are 2 weeks old.

 

[peach2727]

They Are Egg Layers. We Are Running A Free Range Egg Business Here.

Here They Just Call Them Browns.

 

[patnjess]

egg layers will not gorge themselves. they will if they don't have free access to food all the time.

 

[rhodewarrior]

Ours are free range, and they have access to food and water 24/7. From my experience, all chickens do is eat and poop! Then when they have time, they will lay an egg!

 

[peach2727]

2 Vets Here Have Said That Our Chickens Will Overeat If Unlimited Food Is Left Out.

We Tried It And They Were Eating 160 Grams A Day.

Recommended Amount We Are Told Is 100- 110 Grams A Day, About 1/4 Pound.

Question Is--- Can I Feed Them Their 110 Grams Just In The Morning Or Spread It Out Say Morning, Lunch Time, And Dinner Into 35 Grams Each Feeding?

 

[Akane]

Chickens will not overeat. Nearly everyone on here free feeds and their chickens do not over eat. Mine free range, have food 24/7, and during most of the summer don't even eat it at all. If you only give something in limited amounts though they will eat all they can even if it's an inedible item like grit. Leaving it out all the time they get used to it, aren't worried about a shortage of food, and will stop trying to eat it all.

If chickens do not have a constant supply of food illness and death can occur. Especially in cold weather. We've had some die in winter when the feeder went empty for a couple hours. Chickens are designed to constantly be eating and pooping. They are not designed for meals.