snowchick Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Sounds like a stupid question but we have 5 hens and we are unsure how much to feed them. At the moment we are feeding layers pellets and putting 4 handfuls in the metal trough in the morning and then about 3 handfuls in the afternoon. they eat it all. Is this too much or should I be sticking to some sort of routine? Any advice appreciated x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Hi Kelly I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong but I think most of us on the forum just keep the feeders topped up and let the chooks eat what they want to. They dont over eat and they'll eat more when they're laying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Simple - if they're eating it all, try adding another handful next time. Repeat until they start leaving some. They don't normally over-eat on pellets alone - just ration any treats you give them, or they will get fat and may stop laying. The usual advice is to only give them treats in the morning, but if you work full-time (like I do) that may not be possible this time of year, so I give them just a handful of corn (between 3) first thing in the morning to warm them up Have fun with your new hens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daywalker Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I always give my treats in the afternoon. That way they fill up on whats good for them before they pig out on what they like! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 If they eat it all they might need a bit more., especially in this cold weather. Eyren's tip is a good one. TBH I just fill up the grubs when they are almost empty. About three times a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 TBH I just fill up the grubs when they are almost empty. About three times a week. Same here - but I haven't seen any rats hereabouts, and few mice. The cats seem to keep them under control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glatz167 Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 [We have four chooks and they dont seem to like the pellets!!!! Only one is laying and I was very worried about the amount of calcium in there diet but have to say that the eggs from the one laying chook are quite dense. guess will have to whait and see what happens when the rest start to lay. P.S. have been told from a free ranger that they eat very little whilst free ranging as they get most of their food grit and so one from the land. we also tend to give them lots of cooked vegie peelings/potatoes. Thoughts and advise appriciated Regards to all Neil Wardle[/b] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I'd cut back on the veg peelings and treats. The usual advice is to keep them confined to the run for the morning where they have access only to pellets, and let them free range during the afternoon. Give them a treat at bedtime. They will start to eat much more when they come into lay.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Hi Kelly, Initially I weighed out 120g per chicken (as per back of layers pellets bag). I worked out how many scoopfuls that was and I work on that basis plus a bit extra. It seems pretty accurate as there is always a little bit left over. Having said that at weekends I get lazy and fill the grubs to the top and let them eat what they want. They won't over eat. You mention you feed them twice a day. I only put out the pellets in the morning and leave them all day (before bringing it in at night to deter rats). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 They should have pellets available all day long Kelly. Bring them in at night if you are worried about rats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowchick Posted February 19, 2008 Author Share Posted February 19, 2008 Thanks for the advice I've left a big lot of pellets outside today and will keep an eye on it and maybe give them some sweetcorn as a treat as well later as they seem to really really like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 maybe give them some sweetcorn as a treat as well later as they seem to really really like this. If anyone has chickens who don't go nuts for tinned sweetcorn, I'll be very surprised! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 As far as I am aware mine had never seen a corn on the cob until yesterday......they took it in turns to have a go at it & its almost all gone now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinkybijou Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Mine don't like dried sweetcorn! I bought some full cobs of dried corn, plus they have mixed corn as a treat but they always leave the yellow hard kernels - weird creatures! They also still don't eat much in the way of pellets. I filled it up a week ago and there's still some left Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...