When and What to feed my chickens! Help!

[leighhancock]

Quote:
I didn't know about them needing all that protein to lay. But... I am changing them over tomorrow as soon as I get to the feed store! If thats what they need thats what they will get! I love my babies!

Totally off the subject.... I have been outside several times tonight checking on them! Its the coldest night we have had so far. This is my first winter with chickens! Everyone was snug and warm except two rebel roos. I promptly put their fuzzy butts in the coop!

 

[leighhancock]

Ok.... I mixed in 16% layer with the scratch. They kicked out all the layer and ate the scratch! I only put a handfull of the scratch in the layer pellets. UGH!! They are like... wth is that crap?!?

Now what? Do I go by the rule... "If they get hungry enough they will eat."??

I don't want them to starve! HELP!

 

[chookchick]

Don't mix them--you saw what happens!
Scratch is for throwing in the run, (or on coop floor if it's bad out), for a treat. Throw out the portion you want them to eat THAT day--so maybe two cups for your flock? Keep the feeder full of layer all the time. Many chickens don't like pellets, and may start getting thin rather than eating them, so keep an eye on them. I use crumble and they are fine with that. You could mix the pellets with warm water to ease them into them....not a big portion, just what they will eat.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Give them layer feed, all they can eat. Just leave it in front of them and let them eat what they want. If you want to supplement scratch (it's not necessary by any means), then give them no more than they can eat in 15 or 20 minutes, once a day. Otherwise you are just diluting the layer feed.