Sacramento CA -- Am I Feeding Enough?

[LemanHouse1896]

Hi friends. While I raised chickens in my youth, it was with my grandparents' guidance. Craving those wonderful years, my partner and I decided to rescue 6 hens. They're each different breeds: Americauna, Rhode Island Red, Polish Crested, among them. Question is, we got them Sunday - they laid 4 eggs in less than 3 hours, one on my partner's lap. (yes!). Monday they laid 6 - one each. Today (Tuesday 04/05) they laid 2; a brown and a white. I'm feeding them ~24 oz Layena in the morning, supplemented with 3 slices of bread, 16 oz natural chicken scratch, and at least 1.5 hours free ranging after work. Ground oyster shell is offered ad lib. They're drinking ~3/4 gal water per day. Am I feeding them enough? Is the decrease in laying just nature? Appreciate all advice. Thank you!

 

[NoseyChickens]

Sometimes they take a break for a day. It's normal.

 

[wolftracks]

AND

 

[NoseyChickens]

Quote:
Yes! Welcome to BYC.

 

[kcfuerst]

It might be a good idea to leave layer feed out for them 24x7. Also bread isn't all that healthy on a daily basis, but bread and/or scratch for an occasional snack is OK. Depending on a hen's age, she may lay one egg every day or two, and slower in the winter time. Generally they really don't slow down too much during spring and summer. I believe I read somewhere that it takes about 26 hours to make an egg, and pretty much depends on how much daylight chickens get. Good luck with your new babies!

 

[elmo]

I would cut back on the scratch. That's a lot of scratch in proportion to the chicken feed which reduces the overall percentage of protein in your chickens' diet. And bread isn't much in the nutritional department; I wouldn't give that regularly either. I would offer the chicken feed free choice, though.

If your chickens are free ranging, they could be laying out on the range!

 

[LemanHouse1896]

Thank you ALL so very much. I notice I posted in the wrong subject...pardon me. I'll take it all to heart. Thanks again!