When to feed

[hannahandrews]

I just got 6 chickens & im wondering if they need a constant supply of food all day and night or to scatter a cup or two full and sprinkle it on the ground every morning and night

 

[limited25]

Choice is yours, no set rule. We leave our feeders full so they can eat whenever they want. How many chickens do you have and do any hens stop the lowest on the pecking order from eating?

 

[ChickenMammX4]

We keep our feeder full.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I also keep the feeder filled at night since that lets me get up later in the morning.

 

[TalkALittle]

I free feed all day and put the feed away at night to discourage mice and rats.

 

[azygous]

What are you feeding your chickens? Scattering it on the ground is going to end up wasting a lot and invite rodents to take up residence. In my area, it would be a neon sign inviting bears to try to get at the scattered feed.

With the exception of scratch grains, which should be offered only sparingly, dry feed is best offered to chickens free-choice from a hanging feeder so rodents don't get into it and contaminate the food.

On the other hand, many of us feed fermented feed which is wet. Therefore we feed it twice a day as a general rule, taking it up at night so it's not left out to attract mice and other unwelcome guests.

As an average guide, a chicken will require between a half cup and one cup of feed per day. This is not scratch grain, which should be considered a treat, but a nutritionally balanced all flock feed or layer feed.