My chicks are eating machines!

[mderby48]

I'm wondering if chicks ages 3 weeks to 6 weeks will over eat. I have read to keep food available at all times, is that really neccessary? I have 25 chicks 3-6 weeks old and they eat over 50# of starter in a few days. This seems excessive but this is my first time with chicks. Any suggestions?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I recommend keeping food available 24/7. They won't overeat feed. They might overeat treats though.
When the crop gets empty they feel hungry and if feed is withheld IMO they tend to gorge and again only IMHO can lead to an enlarged crop.

 

[mderby48]

That's what I thought. Just wanted a second opinion. Thank you.

 

[Den in Penn]

It is a lot for them to go through. In eight weeks a chick needs a total of around eight pound. So for yours they should eat around two hundred pound for the first eight weeks. Of course they do waste a lot so it will be a higher amount that you will put out. By the end of the week my twelve will be five weeks and have finished their first fifty pound bag. I do as much as I can to control how much they can waste. I put pans under the feeders to catch the feed they throw out of the feeder etc.