Should it make any difference when I feed my chickens?

[harleyjo]

I usually feed my chickens in the morning. Well it is cold up here now and dark when I have to leave for work some days. So a few days ago I decided to start feeding them in the late afternoon. The first day I fed them morning and afternoon and then switched to the afternoon. Should this make any difference in their laying?

 

[Fred's Hens]

I actually feed both morning and afternoon. If you feed a large feeding in the late afternoon, it is possible that they won't finish it all before going to roost. This sort of invites the critters of the rodent variety. The next day, they'd also have to wait until late afternoon, should their feed be gone.

Understand, chickens have survived for centuries and they wouldn't suffer either way. But, since you're wondering and you asked, I offer the above. It is easier to figure their feed intake for the day and offer that in the morning, allowing them all day to finally clean it up.

Since I have to gather eggs anyhow, I"m out there a few times a day. You probably want to collect only in the late afternoon? Thus, the desire to also feed them at that time?

 

[harleyjo]

I actually feed both morning and afternoon. If you feed a large feeding in the late afternoon, it is possible that they won't finish it all before going to roost. This sort of invites the critters of the rodent variety. The next day, they'd also have to wait until late afternoon, should their feed be gone.

Understand, chickens have survived for centuries and they wouldn't suffer either way. But, since you're wondering and you asked, I offer the above. It is easier to figure their feed intake for the day and offer that in the morning, allowing them all day to finally clean it up.

Since I have to gather eggs anyhow, I"m out there a few times a day. You probably want to collect only in the late afternoon? Thus, the desire to also feed them at that time?

Yes, that was my thinking, that I could gather eggs at the same time I feed them. Days I am home it is not a problem to go out more often but on these cold, snowy days, or days when I have to leave for work early it helps to do it later.

 

[Fred's Hens]

You can only do what you can do. You'll have to be sure to provide 1/4 to 1/3 of a pound of feed, per bird, per day. Or, a pound for every three/four birds. They'll be just fine.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

To get the best egg production, it's better to have food out for them all the time.
It saves a lot of work and time too

 

[mtnviewfarms]

We also keep food out all the time and egg production has been excellent - even w/o any added light with the shorter days.
We have BR's - 14 pullets and 2 Roos and get from 8 to 11 eggs daily. We tried last summer to only feed once daily for about a week and egg production went way down during that 'trial' period.

 

[KDK1]

Mine have an all-you-can-eat buffet, 24/7. I add 50lb about every three weeks for nine hens. The RIRs and PRs are still laying good but the araucanas are on strike!

 

[bluestar.ranch]

mine eat a lot LOTS

 

[citychickx6]

I am keeping food out 24/7 also and have no issue with the quantity of food eaten or the egg production.
I get on average 7 to 8 eggs a day from 10 hens. No added light either.
I do go out every morning to let them out and check on their condition. I want to make sure no one has
frostbite or had a fight at night. In the afternoon I gather eggs and give some treats.

Just how I prefer to do things.

 

[bairo]

I still do the 24/7 as well. Must admit though that I did have a mouse problem once. I now keep mouse bait up in the rafters, and use the block that is in an enclosure just in case it ever falls and the chickens get interested. Im out there 3 times a day and have not had a problem yet with the bait staying put....even after a mouse had gotten into it.