scratch feed question

[agarnp]

How much daily scratch feed should each chicken have? I usually spread a few hanfuls on the ground every morning for 8 full grown chickens They have access to pellets allday. I also give them some leftovers with daily - they love this. they aren't fat either but would like for them to put on a little weight. They are laying beautiful eggs. Any advice?

 

[igorsMistress]

How much daily scratch feed should each chicken have? I usually spread a few hanfuls on the ground every morning for 8 full grown chickens They have access to pellets allday. I also give them some leftovers with daily - they love this. they aren't fat either but would like for them to put on a little weight. They are laying beautiful eggs. Any advice?

Roughly a tablespoon per bird per day, so about half a cup in your case.

 

[Brooks_]

As IgorsMistress said, 1 tablespoon each is the general recommended max. A little less for small breeds. Maybe a little more for the largest breeds.

would like for them to put on a little weight

Do you feel they're under weight/small for their breed? Increasing the protein % may be all you need to do.

 

[RubelliteRose]

How much daily scratch feed should each chicken have? I usually spread a few hanfuls on the ground every morning for 8 full grown chickens They have access to pellets allday. I also give them some leftovers with daily - they love this. they aren't fat either but would like for them to put on a little weight. They are laying beautiful eggs. Any advice?

"Should have" - is none. Think of scratch as dessert I do feed my flock a small amount of scratch on days that I want them to return to the run a little early when free ranging.
As IgorsMistress and Brookshatlen said, the tablespoon per bird per day is a good amount.

Why do you want your chickens to gain weight? I found a chart for body condition in another post. How do your birds compare?

View attachment 2938467
Can you feel her keel bone?

 

[agarnp]

This is what they look like. They forage a few hours a day too.

 

[RubelliteRose]

They look good to me
It is hard to tell without feeling around the keel bone though. I have a couple with fluffy feathers who usually look fat and my little leghorn who looks so skinny by comparison, but their keel bones and muscles around the keel bone all feel the same.

 

[agarnp]

They look good to me
It is hard to tell without feeling around the keel bone though. I have a couple with fluffy feathers who usually look fat and my little leghorn who looks so skinny by comparison, but their keel bones and muscles around the keel bone all feel the same.

They wount let me

 

[Brooks_]

They wount let me

A headlight makes it easy to check them out at night while they roost.

 

[agarnp]

"Should have" - is none. Think of scratch as dessert I do feed my flock a small amount of scratch on days that I want them to return to the run a little early when free ranging.
As IgorsMistress and Brookshatlen said, the tablespoon per bird per day is a good amount.

Why do you want your chickens to gain weight? I found a chart for body condition in another post. How do your birds compare?

Thanks for advice--They are flighty and wount let me touch them (and the rooster is always giving me the stink eye if I try anything with the hens). All I know is I think they eat adequately (but always ravenous for the treats) and otherwise seem to act normal, poop looks fine

 

[agarnp]

A headlight makes it easy to check them out at night while they roost.

will try that if I have to but I am gaining more experience with these first chickens so hopefully the next batch will be easier. thanks!