I need Info on Feed amount

[kimberlyjan]

I have recently purchased 20 Rhode Island Reds for Egg Laying. I am feeding 16%Layer pellets and Scratch. How much of each per day should these 20 need? And do I need to feed them anything else with it? Like the grits or something for grinding the food, or is this in the scratch?

 

[chicmom]

Hello!

A few questions: Do you hens get to free range at all? Do they have a chicken run and is their sand in it? I ask that because of your question about the grit. If you have sand in your chicken run, or if you allow them to free range, then you won't need to supply the grit.

As far as the feed goes, it's best if you keep your feeders filled at all times, so they can eat as much as they like. For 20 hens, I would keep three feeders filled and hanging. If you hang them, there is less waste, or set them up on something, like a crate, at their head/beak level, so they won't be able to scratch into it and waste the feed.

I keep feed indoors, and water outdoors too, just so you know. Keeping food outside is a no-no, IMHO, because it does manage to get on the ground, spoil, and if the chickens eat that, they can become ill.

I wouldn't feed alot of scratch. It's tastier, and they will like it much better than the layer feed, and that's where they'll get their nutrition for egg laying. You don't need to, but supplying some crushed oyster shell is a great idea, promoting strong egg shells.

Hope this helps you! Have a wonderful day,
Sharon

 

[kimberlyjan]

They have a space covered by Net to get out into the Sunshine, but Its not huge. (12X20) I have Dogs that will get them if I let them run free. They have 14 nesting boxes under a 3 sided barn. So if I put some Sand in there that will be good? I am new at this so just have no idea what to do. I got 8 eggs yesterday Anyways I was feeding 2 cups of scratch and 2 cups of layer pellets per day, but they are eating it like they are starving. I don't want to overfeed but would rather they not be hungry. Thats why I was asking how much?

 

[chicmom]

Well congrats on the eggs! Such fun! Like little presents in the nest.

Chickens won't ever over eat, so you don't have to worry about that. Consider the scratch a treat, and throw a couple of handfuls out before bedtime, but probably 90% of their diet should be the layer crumbles.

Does your barn have an open side then? I would probably say yes, in that case. They sand would make a nice flooring that you could rake out and keep clean easily. If you use straw in your barn floor, then do supply some grit.

 

[kimberlyjan]

Thank you for the response.

 

[Chris09]

Feed the hens all they want to eat of the Layer but since the layer is only a 16% I wouldn't offer much more than a hand full or 2 of scratch a day if any at all.

Chris