Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

[Perris]

So are there any other good options to provide feed with minimal pest attraction and make sure they get enough to stay healthy but not unlimited feed?

my practice is to offer food twice a day (morning and evening) and remove the bowls after about half an hour, adjusting the quantity to suit how much was left/ how thoroughly the bowls were picked clean at the last meal, so is similar to BlindLemonChicken's. For most of the day the only food available is what they can find by foraging. Typically they forage in the morning and relax in the afternoon. They start shouting if I haven't put out the dinner by the time they think it should be provided Then they graze the grass for a bit and go to bed.

Late comers or would-be second helpers eat up anything that was spilled, unless they don't like it (in which case I chuck it on the lawn at dusk and the hedgehogs or whatnot typically consume it overnight). Rats are seen occasionally, but not such that they are a real problem: the chickens will chase them away unless they're so full that they don't mind sharing with rodents (it's the same with the wild birds like the local pheasants, robins etc). I also offer mealworms or other highly nutritious food to any bird that comes to the back door seeking it.

 

[LaurenRitz]

I scatter snacks first thing in the morning. They clean that up in a few minutes. Then I give them their primary meal a few hours before sundown. I pick up the food bowls when the birds go to bed.

 

[Backroadlogic]

I have a question for everyone on this thread: Who all amongst you has full-on free-range survival chickens? I mean the roost-in-the-trees, not-shut-in-a-secure-coop-at-night kind? I just want to make sure it isn't a pipe dream for me to have a hands-off flock(s) in addition to my regular coop chickens.

I do. I have for several years now. A mixture of American gamefowl × saipan jungle fowl x Dominique x and various other backyard mix hens. Right now I have 3 roosters and a dozen hens/pullets. In Missouri, up in the hills with all kinds of trees. We have predators but I have dogs

 

[Skyeknight]

I know of people with free rangers who only scatter mixed grains some time before sunset. About as much as they immediately eat.

Once before leaving for work might work, but I would prefer them to see humans as little as possible.

I feed mine twice a day regardless of weather. In the summer i feed them less and later in the morning—so it’s more like lunch and dinner. I feed a little more at dinner than lunch and if there is leftovers i feed less the next day. So they dont always have food available.

my practice is to offer food twice a day (morning and evening) and remove the bowls after about half an hour,

Sadly offering food twice a day won't really work for me with work and all. Especially in winter when I won't be home during daylight hours. With the CX pullets I use an automatic pet feeder, which is a real lifesaver as I can leave for a weekend without worrying. but that won't be anywhere near big enough for a decent sized group or handle the outside weather conditions.

Late comers or would-be second helpers eat up anything that was spilled, unless they don't like it (in which case I chuck it on the lawn at dusk and the hedgehogs or whatnot typically consume it overnight). Rats are seen occasionally, but not such that they are a real problem: the chickens will chase them away unless they're so full that they don't mind sharing with rodents (it's the same with the wild birds like the local pheasants, robins etc).

Good to know that they will realistically defend their food source.

It will still be a few years before I would start a project like this. But I would like to take into account what is practically possible when I will move.