Is it necessary to supplement with feed if hens are free ranging?

[APeacefulMe]

We live on approx. 3/4 acre and although the ladies have their own "pen"; their wings aren't clipped and they fly out and free range all day. We are supplementing with feed (scattered for scratch and peck) twice a day. Is this necessary? It seems like a lot of the feed is going to waste (although the ladies seems to be starving all the time) and the birds and squirrels are getting it. Thanks in advance.

 

[Judy]

You would probably lose less feed from a feeder, bought at the feed store or just make an open top one out of scrap wood or something. Lots of ideas on here.

Mine have had access to plenty of grass and weeds and bugs in winter and summer. In the summer they eat very little feed but in winter they eat a lot more, when everything is brown. I would not want them to depend on forage only, even in summer.

 

[clairabean]

I am going to say yes. Keep the feed in a feeder in the coop. My girls free range all summer, but still eat some feed. In winter no free ranging at all, and lots of feed eaten.

 

[snowflake]

My hens also free range as soon as the snow is gone. lots of land for them to rome. They still have free choice feed(I usually use flock raiser so chicks can also eat.) in the coop, we go through much lass in the summer. but they seem to know what they need to balance their diet. If it is available and they need it it is there. ....Some are better bug and worm catchers then others

 

[schellie69]

I use a game bird feed and let them free range and give them garden scraps and grass clippings veggies and sometimes yogurt.

 

[APeacefulMe]

Thank you for your responses everyone. I forgot to add that our ladies also get our compost (fruit and veggies), extra mixed greens (as treats) and sometimes Kefir & curds and whey.
We will continue to supplement feed as well as free range. We'd definatly rather them get more than enough than not enough.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I too would recommend a feeder. A simple trough built out of scrap lumber would suffice. I like them 3 1/2" deep which discourages them flipping out feed. Just scattering feed on the ground also encourages the rodents, who don't need any encouragement.

 

[gryeyes]

My personal recommendation is not to scatter feed for "scratch and peck" but keep it in a feeder for them.

 

[jenesis536]

I would think the foraging and scraps should be the "supplement" and the feed should be the main part of their diet. We keep ours in a feeder... a small one in each coop and a couple large ones in the pen. Makes it easy because I only have to refill them about once a week and I know they are getting enough to eat... the rest is just treats.