I want to get everyones opinion

[cozycritters]

I always did free feeding... and they still adored me

. I had a hen who would come and tell me when she wanted a treat

 

[NGT ANGL]

I free feed - two feeders in seperate places - one in the coop and one in the run. I don't seem to have too much waste as someone is always coming along scratching for what has hit the ground. They know when it's treat time and come running though!

 

[RGEISENDORF]

funny, it never crossed my mind to feed twice a day. I have a huge feeder that holds almost an entire bag. I throw in oyster shells and grit in layers as I fill it. My girls normally free range during the day but good grief I had them locked up last week in their area while we were on vacation, they went through the whole feeder in one week. Whereas when they free range I need to fill it once every six weeks.

 

[banks]

I free feed ...........but as soon as they here the back door slam they all come a runnin to the fence

 

[Sjisty]

I free feed. I also free range my flock, and if I miss the time they feel they should have their treats, they come and get me by pecking at my glass front door.

 

[Holly O]

I have some large birds and they are only 4 months old. They have access to food at all times, and are able to get out several times a day to free range. My kids love to spend time with them and watch them while they are out. So they get herded into the coop run whenever we come inside.

In comparison to others birds I have seen that are approximately the same age, Mine are HUGE! even the 4 birds I gave to my friend are smaller than mine. They also have the most beautiful sheen to their feathers.

Guess I'm doing something right ... lol

 

[Chris09]

I full feed Chicks, Grower, Layer and Breeders all the birds are on full feed.. It just easyer for me to feed that way.. I have to go in the pens to water and get egg so I top off the feeders when I am in there..

Chris

 

[Mr_Jeff]

I top off the feeder once a day and let them feed at will. Later in the day I take scraps out or throw down some scratch.

 

[threehorses]

Free feed just enough feed so that at the end of the day it's mostly cleaned up. You will draw less rats this way, and chickens prefer fresh feed. If you can't then free choice is fine - just clean it out weekly to prevent the troughs from filling up with the waste parts.

This will keep the birds from overeating when feed is first put out.

If feed wastes, try using the waste-free V shaped feeders that you can easily make yourself using some wood and lathing strips. The feed falls back into the feeder and can't be knocked out (like large round hanging feeders).

If you need to give something like a probiotic or supplement, your hens will be slightly hungry in the morning but not ravenously so. You can feed them a wet mash with their treatment in it, and then feed them the dry mash for the rest of the day.

Grains (like oats, not scratch which is a treat only) can be fed in a separate bin if you supplement with them.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Depending on how many you have you can go to each bird and feel thier crop at the evening roosting time.

On some you can see that it is full. Just be sure everyone has a nice full crop and they are comfortable with lots of water available in the morning and evening.

They will sleep for 10 hours and in the morning they should have an empty crop and be hungry. I throw a bit a scratch on the floor to be sure everyone is eating.

I do have some that will not come down, but they go out and free range later in the day.

I keep layer and oyster shell available 24/7. The nightly visitors do not like the layer or the oyster shell. I have snakes and rats in the barn and a big 'ol groundhog has came back home.

Another rat kill is on the drawing board. Seems I have to do this about every 3 months.