What is going on???

[eviemethugh]

Free feeding: one of our pens has 8 laying hens, we top off a 5 gallon feeder for them every single day. They never eat more than half, but this is all there "just in case"

Another set of meat birds, we know how much is needed to raise birds of the weight we desire so they are fed an exact amount twice a day that increases until harvest. 50 of them are eating about 100 lbs a week right now plus fresh forage twice a day.

What you are feeding also changes the quantity they consume. We feed a locally grown and cracked non gmo grain mix with roasted soybeans, fish meal, etc. we find that this "goes" faster than say purina pellets. We think this is because feed is sold by weight and the volume of pellets is different than cracked grains which are rather fine. But certainly a cheap feed would also not equal out the same way a good bag feed will due to protein and dry matter.

 

[TalkALittle]

Layer feed is typically 16% protein and cracked corn is something like 8%. If you're mixing equal parts of the two then your only offering your birds a 12% protein "feed". The more corn is in your mix, the lower that number goes. There is a reason feed companies make layer feed 16%. It's the minimum amount of protein hens need. Grower feed for young chickens is typically higher in protein. Corn is not just low in protein though. It's lacking in many other things that chickens need. It's not a complete feed.

I would treat your birds for coccidiosis with Corridrs in their water. Then I'd eliminate all but a handful of corn a day as a treat. I'd keep the feeders full of a grower type feed and I bet you'll see improvement.

Oh, and chickens will drink dirty water if it is all they have access to. Even if it's filthy. Water should be fresh and in a clean container they can't walk in or scratch and fling feces into.

I hope you are able to sort things out and have no more losses in your flock.