Taking away feeder?

[Chicks Galore3]

For the most part, my chickens are pretty good about going outside to free range when I let them out. However, there is a group of 10 or 12 chickens that hang around in the coop all day, mostly around the feeder eating food. As they already go through #100 of food in 2 weeks, I'd rather have them all outside eating the free bugs. I am wondering if it would be okay to take the feeder away when I let them out everyday and putting it back when they return at night. (From around 12:00-6:30.) Or do they need food during the day even though they have access to outside?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's a lot of feed, is that all they get, I like to leave food out for mine, but I also only put out so much and when I go to feed them the next day in the mid morning their dishes are empty, and they have cleaned everything up. I wouldn't see any harm in making them hustle, they probably will lay less eggs though as free ranging takes up energy that would go into egg production. I would certainly try it if it's something you are wondering about, and see what happens.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

I recently switched feed, because this stuff is cheaper. I am wondering if it is also cheaper quality, so they have to eat more. I'm going to experiment to see if they eat as much as the old feed. I'm just wondering if it would be bad for them to not have food during the day.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Do you put out any scratch, that can help offset feed cost a bit and fill them up, as scratch takes longer to digest than ration and could help them eat less.

I have some that you can't keep inside and others that won't go outside. I can't see that it would hurt to withhold food for a bit, as I said mine run out and go without for a bit in the mornings, but they are hunger when I get out there. If yours are truly free range and there is enough food available, try picking it up for a bit and see how it goes.

 

[TalkALittle]

Are they by chance meat birds? That behavior sounds very much like how Cornish Xs and other birds bred for meat behave. If given the opportunity, they'll just sit by the feeder and eat and eat and eat.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

No meat birds. The ones that I have that ARE dual purpose are the ones who go outside. They ones who stay inside and eat are mostly production reds and 1 fat easter egger.

 

[donrae]

It won't hurt them at all to not have feed available for a few hours a day.

But, if they're anything like my children, they'll act like you're killing them...