Leaving out feed

[jslater14]

Is it ok to leave feed out all the time? We have the feed bucket hanging from the fence, so it’s off the ground, but we are new to this and wanted to make sure it’s ok to leave it out for them to feed as they want.

Also, I follow someone who has chickens and posted additional items to add to feed (probiotic, flock flax, brewers yeast, sunflower seeds, herbs) and wanted to make sure leaving that out all day for them to feed as they need is ok as well.

 

[Kiki]

How old are your birds?

If your theater is in a predator-proof coop so you aren't wasting feed feeding predators and rats then yes it's fine to leave it out.
If it's not then I would not to leave it out.

Never mix any type of treat in with the complete balanced age appropriate poultry feed.

Treats take away from them getting a balanced diet. Commercially made feed is a balanced diet.

 

[Brooks_]

How old are your birds?

If your theater is in a predator-proof coop so you aren't wasting feed feeding predators and rats then yes it's fine to leave it out.
If it's not then I would not to leave it out.

Never mix any type of treat in with the complete balanced age appropriate poultry feed.

Treats take away from them getting a balanced diet. Commercially made feed is a balanced diet.

X2

 

[jslater14]

How old are your birds?

If your theater is in a predator-proof coop so you aren't wasting feed feeding predators and rats then yes it's fine to leave it out.
If it's not then I would not to leave it out.

Never mix any type of treat in with the complete balanced age appropriate poultry feed.

Treats take away from them getting a balanced diet. Commercially made feed is a balanced diet.

They are 8 weeks old and the coop/run is fully enclosed, so all good

The additives aren’t treats. They are additional supplements to add to their feed. Is that still considered a treat?

 

[Starburst]

Is it ok to leave feed out all the time? We have the feed bucket hanging from the fence, so it’s off the ground, but we are new to this and wanted to make sure it’s ok to leave it out for them to feed as they want.

Also, I follow someone who has chickens and posted additional items to add to feed (probiotic, flock flax, brewers yeast, sunflower seeds, herbs) and wanted to make sure leaving that out all day for them to feed as they need is ok as well.

If I may ask, do you plan to put the feed away at night, or leave it out 24/7?

If you are planning to leave the feed out all day, and then put it away at night, then I think that will be okay! (This is the method I choose to do)

However, while you can leave it out all night, you’ll need to make sure that your coop and run are very secure, as rats, mice, birds, and everything in between will be having a buffet of their lives if they can get in! This means that the run should be fully covered, the holes in the fencing should be small, the locks secure, and an “apron” (Wire or the like buried around the perimeter to keep diggers out) should be around the length of the run. It might sound a bit extreme, but I speak from experience - I have almost all of the above, and yet the pests still manage to find their way inside!

All that said, I’m sure that whichever you choose will be a great option. I hope this helped, and best of luck!

 

[Starburst]

They are 8 weeks old and the coop/run is fully enclosed, so all good

The additives aren’t treats. They are additional supplements to add to their feed. Is that still considered a treat?

Sunflower seeds, while having some health benefits, are still treats - consider using them as a healthy snack every once and a while, rather than putting them in their feed. It’s a great way to connect with your flock a little more!

What feed do you offer them? If it’s a high-quality and well-balanced feed, the other things you mentioned probably aren’t necessary, and may be better offered as a supplement outside of the feed.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Ditto on what the others said. Other than this, bringing the feed in at night does little to deter rodents. Get a treadle feeder, you pay for one even if you don't buy one. Narrow and distant treade, spring loaded door, heavy counterweight,no plastic and try to avoid the Chinese made feeders like the Grandpa and the other feeders sold on Amazon.