Even if you never see mice or signs of them....I never did SEE any mice or rats, but eggs disappeared out from under my broody hen. I put rat bait into a bait station where the hens couldn't get to it - only mice and rat sized critters can get to it and SOMETHING ate it so there must have been SOME freeloaders out there that I never saw!
My birds eat on average 1/4 to 1/3lb of feed per day (when not free ranging) and this is what is considered average. 8 hens should eat a little over 2lbs per day, maybe 3 tops.
Don't mix the scratch in, as others noted.
Pellets will help avoid waste.
Hang the feeder where they can just barely reach it (back height or about that) and they will usually dig less out.
Don't refill the feeder if there is still feed on the ground - make them clean it up.
My birds eat on average 1/4 to 1/3lb of feed per day (when not free ranging) and this is what is considered average. 8 hens should eat a little over 2lbs per day, maybe 3 tops.
Don't mix the scratch in, as others noted.
Pellets will help avoid waste.
Hang the feeder where they can just barely reach it (back height or about that) and they will usually dig less out.
Don't refill the feeder if there is still feed on the ground - make them clean it up.
