John

[dazoo]

My two hens have been with me for two weeks now, both getting along great and laying regularly.

 

My concern is how much food they are getting through - I have the standard eglu feeder which is described as holding enough food for three days. My chickens have it emptied in one sitting...

 

I filled it yesterday evening and by lunchtime today it was empty. One of the chickens spends her time throwing the food onto the floor, but that seems to get eaten. So are my two birds really getting through that amout of feed? I can't believe anything else is eating it or I would have noticed.

 

I keep them in the run in the mornings when they lay (and to ensure they eat plenty of layers mash) and then if I'm home they are out the rest of the day or if I'm working they get out in the evenings.

 

I'm worried as I'm going away for the weekend and I don't think I'll be able to leave enough food for them.

[The Dogmother]

I wouldn't worry too much - they will only eat what they need.

 

The thing to be cautious of is how many treats they have - they should be eating pellets all day as their main staple food and only a handful of treats in the late afternoon.

[dazoo]

Thanks for the response.

 

I do give them mealworm and sweetcorn, but only ever late afternoon or evening - and usually when I want them in the run.

 

My concern is if the food disappears in a day, they'll have nothing left on the second day. I'm going to order a second feeder, but I'm just amazed that they are eating this much.

 

dazoo

[The Dogmother]

You could use a glug as a feeder - holds afr more and they can't flivk it out.

 

I have a gravity feeder - far better for lots of hens.

[xScrunchee]

Oh dear

 

Not great if you are needing to go away.

 

Erm...........what to do, what to do??????

 

Any chance that a friend neighbour could check on them while you're away?

 

What about hanging up some veggies such as spring greens and cabbages so that they have to jump up a little to get to them as well as some peck-a-blocks hung around the run so that if they empty the Grub, they will still have some bits to eat?

 

Here is a recipe for home made peck-a-blocks *Here*

 

Also some corn on the cobs hanging up, some suet cages (for wild birds) stuffed with dandelions, grass etc.

[Egluntyne]

Are you sure that the local rat population aren't using it as an 'All You Can Eat'?

[emmamakeup]

My girls get through quite a bit of feed and have to replenish the grub every other day.

[Jules.]

Are you sure that the local rat population aren't using it as an 'All You Can Eat'?