Stop buying chicken feed

[FluffyButts55]

Somehow I think this is a Troll post

I agree! And they have not replied back to the thread either... I very much think that you should feed your chickens food... And I am pretty sure they are not getting these

"big and beautiful"

eggs!

 

[FrostRanger]

If it's not a troll, it's likely these are first year pullets that went into molt, finished and resumed laying. Feed would have nothing to do with that, just a combination of genetics, young birds and chickens doing the unexpected just because they can

 

[Rangergord]

Boy are we stupid for feeding hens laying ration, when all we have to do is stop buying it and let them find their own way. The eggs will keep rolling in, and our wallets will be fatter. Who knew?

 

[Backroadlogic]

I'm lucky enough to have 15 acres. I only buy chick feed a couple times a year to show the years new chicks that I'm a friend. No other feed.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I'm lucky enough to have 15 acres. I only buy chick feed a couple times a year to show the years new chicks that I'm a friend. No other feed.

I barely used the chicken feed when there was still forage available. But now they’ve mown through my small backyard (working on the rotational grazing plan for 2026), and I’m easily going through feed at 3x the summer rate. The difference is amazing.

 

[Backroadlogic]

I barely used the chicken feed when there was still forage available. But now they’ve mown through my small backyard (working on the rotational grazing plan for 2026), and I’m easily going through feed at 3x the summer rate. The difference is amazing.

I just buy a bag when chicks hatch and call it good. My land has tons of brush, tree covered hills, 3 little fields, and a spring. Only 20 chickens, 2 pigs, and 6 goats grazing it.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I just buy a bag when chicks hatch and call it good. My land has tons of brush, tree covered hills, 3 little fields, and a spring. Only 20 chickens, 2 pigs, and 6 goats grazing it.

My entire city lot (front yard, sides, back, shed [1923 version of a garage], and house) totals 0.15 acre. lol

Your place sounds wonderful!

 

[Backroadlogic]

My entire city lot (front yard, sides, back, shed [1923 version of a garage], and house) totals 0.15 acre. lol

Your place sounds wonderful!

Ty. I purchased land in my early 20s with a dream when land was inexpensive and I had a good back. I'm glad I did it then because I couldn't afford it now. Made a little slice if heaven for me, my wife, and our toddlers. Just a few more things I need to build and I can relax

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Ty. I purchased land in my early 20s with a dream when land was inexpensive and I had a good back. I'm glad I did it then because I couldn't afford it now. Made a little slice if heaven for me, my wife, and our toddlers. Just a few more things I need to build and I can relax

It all sounds incredible, but I was sold at the spring. Having a water source solves so many potential problems.

 

[NatJ]

I would like to share my experience with chicken pellet feed. I stopped feeding my girls all store bought feed a month ago just to see what would happen. Keep in mind my girls have 3 acres to go where ever they want to. Since they have stopped eating any store bought anything , I am finding more eggs and bigger eggs. They would run like they were going to attack me for 2 weeks everytime they saw me just out of habit but now they stay gone In the back acre all day unless I call them for scraps . I have 9 laying and used to get 4 to 6 eggs a day but now I get 7 to 9 every day and they are so big and beautiful and my chickens are not too fat but plump and beautiful. Has anyone else ever tried this?

Where do you live? (Not asking for your exact address, just which country, and if it's a big country maybe a little bit about which part.)

What season is it where you are?

Many of us in the USA are dealing with snow all over, which obviously gets in the way of chickens finding food for themselves.

Keep in mind my girls have 3 acres to go where ever they want to....I have 9 laying...

This would be an important part of making it work. Many of the people on this site have small lots, and the ones with big lots will often have lots of chickens. When there are just a few chickens on a large amount of land, they have a much better chance of finding the things they need.

(For people with small amounts of land, it is usually more practical to buy chicken feed rather than buying large amounts of land.)