Those of you that don't feed laying pellets...

[ssledoux]

what do you feed?

My layers free-range from dawn til dusk When they go in, they have scratch grains and oyster shell (and, of course, fresh water in and out the coop). Other than that I don't feed them anything. They get scraps when we have them, and they do pick at the younger birds' starter now and then, but I offer no other chicken feed.

I'm getting 3-4 eggs/day from 6 hens, and I have no desire to push them more than that. Is this diet okay? I'd rather they lay less now and live longer than be pushed to the max, but I want to supplement them if they need it.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

I think what you're doing is fine. How do you feed in the winter?

I feed my bunch an all-way type of food, it's 20% protein. I generally cut that with a good scratch grain or a 14% protein gamecock blend. My birds are penned, but if I just had a pleasure flock I'd do exactly as you are doing.

 

[Cara]

Layer pellets don't push hens to lay more, they just provide the nutrition to keep them healthy and therefore laying well. How often they will lay depends a lot on the breed as well as the diet.

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

well YOUR the one eating the eggs
they will free range for protein from bugs and worms and what ever else they can get
they are your chickens so feed them what ever makes you feel they have sufficient feed items
happy chicken raising
YOU are their keeper!!
no body else makes the rules for you and your chickens!!