I think I might be feeding to much

[mustangsaguaro]

I have 6 chickens that I allow to free range all day. I also supply them w/ layer pellets, corn, and other grains mixed in w/ the layer pellets and corn. I think I might be feeding them too much of the mixed feed as they are not finishing it all. Because they free range all day, what is the amount of feed I should give them? All of them are hens and 1 roo.

Kim

 

[SeaChick]

We just offer layer pellets free choice. I think most folks here do as well. The chickens just eat what they need, which of course varies with the season and weather and what other food they're eating. We also offer oyster shell free choice, for calcium.

Stacey

 

[panner123]

During the day give them free choice lay pellets and some crack corn in the evening. The corn will keep the body temperture up during the night.

 

[CovenantCreek]

I have two 7 lb feeders in the coop that I keep the layer mash in, I also have a little bin that I keep oyster shell and kelp meal in, with a little cracked corn if it's going to be a cold night and some fish meal until I find another tub to keep that in. I don't mix anything in with the regular feed except DE, so they don't get any "candy" when they want the real food and I'm not changing the nutritional balance of the main course. My girls are also allowed to free range all day.

Scratch has been tossed on the ground (outside the coop), so it's available just about any time they want it (which isn't that much). I offer them treats, which they enjoy but don't necessarily finish quickly. Their preference definitely seems to be for the layer mash and whatever they find out on the range.

Since it got cold, they're eating a lot more of the mash than they did in the summer. They'll scarf down the fish meal when it's available. The cracked corn they eat when it's cold but not so much the rest of the time. The oyster shell has to be refilled regularly, but most of the free-choice supplements are largely ignored, suggesting their needs are being met.

Personally, I think if you stop mixing the extras in with the pellets and just offer them free-choice your girls will find a happy balance, and you'll get a better idea of what they need.