Wasted feed - layena crumbles aren't cheap.

[moodlymoo]

How much do you ration to each chicken? This is my biggest question. I have 17 in the coop and they are eating a 50lb bag in a week. I cant afford to keep feeding them like this

 

[Gypsi]

I don't ration. I dump about 2 cups of layena on the ground every morning for my 5 hens. I get about 2 weeks out of a bag of layena. Plus the surplus on the coop floor for if they run out, or I'm not home or some catastrophe.

( I use sand in the run, 3 inches deep at least, changed when it turns brown)

I think I have spoiled chickens.

I should not have thrown out my old crockpot. It had a crack in the center of the bottom, but it was heavy and would have made a great chicken feeder maybe. Maybe it was too tall. It was 2 years before I got my girls...

 

[teddiliza]

If you want pellets small enough for bantams, you can use Nutrena layer pellets. Layena pellets were just too big! Now my feed lasts a week longer, and less mess just like everyone else said. I still mix in a bit of meatbird crumbles once a week just for the extra protein while some of them are finishing a late molt. I have one girl in the garage because she started so late!

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I know they are certainly prettier than any ole chicken feeder!
I have been looking for some second hand crock or pottery bowls, my brother waters his rabbits with them. He got the pieces at auctions cheap because they were slightly chipped or stained etc. I fed for him in August and I notice the bowls kept the water cooler than what was coming from the hose.

They work great. But I use chamber pots because of that curve and the shape of the pot. I fill to right on the "waist". Never more than a tsp lost, and 20 big chickens served.

I didn't know about the cooler water, I'll have to try it!

 

[seminolewind]

50 pounds of Layena crumbles last me about 15 days for 20 big chickens, and 4 silkies. (I have 8 jersey giants).

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
Wow!!! 17 chickens do NOT eat 50 lbs of feed a week. 17 chickens would eat 4lbs a day, or 28 lbs a week. Scraps, grass, and foraging can cut that even further, or raise it a bit if it is winter time.

Ration feeding sounds like one restricts their feed. This isn't entirely accurate. You feed 3 lbs or so in the morning. They'll finish that about noon. Feed another pound or two in the afternoon and trays will just, just be finished clean by roosting time. That is the key. Portion feeding might be a better expression. They get all they want/need to eat, but there isn't gobs of feed out there being wasted and there's nothing at night for the rats and mice. It takes some trial and error, but well worth it for most folks.

 

[Ksane]

Quote:
SeminoleWind, you're a genius! I'm stopping at the thrift store when I go into town today. I've been racking my brain trying different feeders and the chamber pot idea is perfect (and pretty). If I can't find any today I think I'll try a removable crock pot, I've got a bunch of those.
Thank you

 

[TinyChickenLady]

See that piece of unpainted wood? That's the lip that has put (almost) an end to wasted feed.
The younger chickens will try to stand up there and occasionally will kick out some feed but a lot less feed has been wasted since I built my feeder.
I think the biggest cause of wasted feed is selfish chickens standing on the feeder

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
SeminoleWind, you're a genius! I'm stopping at the thrift store when I go into town today. I've been racking my brain trying different feeders and the chamber pot idea is perfect (and pretty). If I can't find any today I think I'll try a removable crock pot, I've got a bunch of those.
Thank you

Hi, The important thing is that "waist" in the chamber pot. The curvier the better. So I'm not sure about a crock pot unless it has that "waist" . I fill to the waist or slightly above. If the thrift store doesn't work, type chamber pot in at ebay, and sift by clicking (listed low price to high).

 

[duckinnut]

Wow!! I also have 17 chickens and 50lb lasts about 3wks even now when the forage stuff dwindling with fall. I got a 5gal pail with a planter pot dish screwed to the bottom and a 5in pvc tube feeder also. I would get rid of crumbles and go to just pellets. There is very little waste as not to say they do knock some on the floor but sometimes I think they do it on purpose just so they can scratch around.