The Ultimate Newbie Question!

[jessierose]

How much feed should these little critters eat???

Let's say they can't be outside because of rain or coop repairs, etc: how much feed do you offer each bird per day?

I have 48 2month old black stars and assorted brown egg layers and a pair of 7 month old RIRs. How much would you offer? Also, how many waterers for that many young birds?

 

[VA from WV]

Chickens eat constantly. I fill their feeders and let them eat their fill.

 

[jessierose]

I did that for one week about 2 weeks ago and found that no matter how much I offered each day they ate every single bit.
How many bags of feed would you expect to go through with 50 birds in one month? I am going through A LOT!!!

 

[VA from WV]

I averaged 50# a week for the first 4 weeks I had my meaties. We had 40 birds. It crept upwards from there and my guess is that it was about 65-70# at the end.

I just refill the waterers as needed. With 40 birds, I refilled the 5 gallon waterer every 36 hours.

 

[jerseygirl1]

With about 20 birds, I go thru a 50# bag a month, maybe a little more,less when they free- range

 

[Karrie13]

Quote:
Hmm... I must be doing something wrong. My 20 girls are eating 4 times that in a month. Plus they get a treat of some sort each day (fruit/veggies/scratch) since I can't free range t hem because of all the dogs around.

 

[rarebreedeggs4u]

I have about 30 birds up in breeder pens full time. They easily eat 100 lbs of feed a week.

 

[jessierose]

Ok...more confused than ever. I guess I can average everyone's answers.

 

[digitS']

How about averaging the feed consumption of Leghorn-type and broiler pullets? The University of Missouri poultry people have some numbers for us to use.

An 8 week-old Leghorn-type pullet typically eats 325 grams of feed, each week.

An 8 week-old broiler pullet eats 970 grams of feed, each week.

The average would be 647.5 grams or about 1.4 pounds, each week. (That looks high to me for Black Stars & RIR, but . . . we are averaging . . . )

For 50 pullets, that would be 71 pounds of feed, each week, or about 285 pounds of feed in a month.

Shorting them on feed will slow their development and may make for small birds and small eggs at maturity.

Steve

 

[Lunachick]

I only have six birds, so my info might not help much. BUT I always make sure their feeder is FULL and have access to food at all times. That and fresh water daily. I think they eat when they need food, and stop and do chicken things til they need food again, not like a dog that will eat til they drop. Mine also go out and forage for a bit each day, so they get extra goodies and protein. If you supplement them with good veggies and some fruits and cheese or pasta treats, they'll even love you more.