Winter Feeding

[HobbyChickener]

What does everyone do for thier birds as the weather drops? Is there something that should be done to help keep fat on them like you do for dogs and such? Or are they just better weather resistant? Increasing or changing feed?

 

[chad]

Don't know how cold it gets in KY compared to here in Maine, but I feed my birds the same layer mash that I do year 'round, though of course they eat less in the good weather when they can free-range. I've done it for several years and see no depletion in their body condition during the winter months. I do try to keep feed in front of them all day so they can eat what they need, and check several times a day to break out the ice in water bowls if need be.

 

[okiechick57]

I too have always stuck to my normal feeding.......and they do eat more of course cooped up since mine freerange at will all year..cept right now.....it was an ice rink

I do add warm cooked oatmeal........and yes....everyone laughs at me here at home, but hey........chickens are kids too

 

[justusnak]

Mine get the regular layer pellets free choice all day.....and either cracked corn, or scratch before roost time. That way they will be warmer through the night. I try to cut back on too many treats in the winter, just so I know they are getting all the pellets they need, seems there are no bugs or grass for them.

 

[johnnyjack]

layin mash all day everyday and cracked corn in the afternoon,everyother day.

 

[buc]

Quote:
I make sure my chickens have warm water in the morning and in the late afternoon. I want eggs to be layed and I think this helps, how do I know, two other people I know are only getting an egg or two a day from similar type chickens and flock size, my girls are still knocking out 8-11 a day.

I do give them deep bedding in the nest boxes, I give them smooth broom hay, they seem to really like it.

 

[tammy j]

Since I am new to chickens, I depend on my friendly feed store owner for alot of info. Dale told me to switch from the laying mash to the starter/grower mash, cuz it is higher in protein, and it will help them continue laying during the winter. So far no change in laying habits, except for the week before the change. Of course I also turned a light on in the coop, so maybe that helped also.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Tammy, make sure you're offering them oyster shell, too, if they are laying while on the grower. You might already be doing that, I just wanted to mention it.

 

[s6bee]

Ok, this is going to sound really dumb, but I bought mash, but how am I supposed to serve it? Dry or add warm water to make a "mash"?

 

[picklespickles]

they would eat it dry if necessary but prolly prefer wet. mine have. they are cute eating it, too.