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Well, no.
Granny out tossing spoiled or inedible grain* to the chickens was a reality of rural life, of course. But so was pretty poor management of the flock, as a rule.
Chickens left to themselves with just a tossing of grain now and then go fairly wild. This means they lay sporadically and don't get the sort of nutrition they should. Being treated as an after thought this way was common - and was why this country's poultry business was pretty shabby until the early 20th Century.
In a word, they are managed poorly this way.
*Chickens did not get the 'good stuff'...they got what was left over
You'll find that people who go to the trouble to have chickens today do a better job of it. In the main, they are far more careful with their rearing. So yes, get a feeder and feed a good quality ration.