Kitchen scraps/ general feeding

[Wannabe_homesteader]

So I'm getting 2 laying hens and a rooster this weekend. I keep seeing posts about feeding them kitchen scraps and just curious if there are things they should not be given? Meat, bread, dairy, anything in particular? I'm not seeing many specific things.

Also, I wanted to free range them but now we're planning to have them in a run (may let them out at times when we are home etc), so just wondering how much feed everyone gives and how many times per day?

Thanks in advance!

 

[imnukensc]

My chickens have feed available 24/7. Of course, they don't eat any at night and they eat less feed when they're free ranged. Table scraps/treats should be given sparingly.

 

[ClockRoach]

Here's a list of things chickens will love and things to avoid giving them: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...—the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens.47738/

As for feed, it's much easier to just have a large feeder that stays full and they can eat from as they need. If they have access to tasty scraps and free range goodies, they'll eat less, and on days that they don't get out as much, they'll eat more from it. You can buy a big bucket style feeder or find lots of designs here for PVC tubes with an elbow at the bottom that's very easy to put together.

 

[Wannabe_homesteader]

Great thank you! I was wondering about leaving feed out all the time, I wasn' sure if they'd just go crazy or eat what they need.

 

[ClockRoach]

Great thank you! I was wondering about leaving feed out all the time, I wasn' sure if they'd just go crazy or eat what they need.

Nope, chickens aren't goldfish. They'll only eat as much as they need to eat (although you do want to limit things that aren't as nutritious as chicken feed or healthy forage). Also, if you're giving them food that isn't just pellets/crumbles (including letting them forage), be sure to give them some grit. The feed store will have bags of rough stones (some of them also claim to have probiotics, but this may or may not be BS). They need to be able to keep some of this in their crop to digest anything beyond processed feed. You can either have a little bowl full for them or just scatter a few handfuls on the ground in their run every so often. Again, don't worry about giving them too much.

 

[chickens really]

Hello...Chicken feed is all they need with occasional treats once a week.
If fed too much fillers they can develop fatty liver syndrome which shortens their lives..