chickenlass Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 My 3 rescue girls are settling in really well , my main concern as a new chicken keeper is "could I be over feeding them? " They seem to be really pigging out on the layers mash which I just make available alll day for them [apart from when they take themselves off to bed on an evening] : They are laying well and their combs are already starting to darken to a nice pink . I am trying to make them freindly by giving them a few treats now and again [currants and dandelion leaves seem to go down well at present. ] But would I be better measuring out the mash and if so how much would you reccomend I put out for 3 chickens. many thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 I just to let mine eat as much as they want and just fill it up when needed. They need all the goodness to produce the eggs - if they dont have enough to eat they don't lay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Ditto Egg laying takes a lot of effort so let them eat as much mash as they like Hope you're enjoying your rescue chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola O Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 My ex-bats that I collected three weeks ago eat like pigs, and eat much more than my other three chooks, but when I pick the new girls up they are still so skinny compared to the others I am happy for them to have as much as they want and just refill the grub as soon as it's empty. Nicola. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 I daresay they are so delighted to get some decent food inside them that they are playing catch up nutritionally speaking....and I don't suppose they will know what to do with things like brocolli just yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 I agree with all of the above, & my rescue girls are scoffing for England too Chickenlass! I give them layers mash mixed with grit, bran & poultry spice and they are loving it, they have 2 feeding stations and leave them to eat as much as they like all day long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted May 23, 2007 Author Share Posted May 23, 2007 Oh thanks..thats reassuring then!! Having given it some thought it seems to be since I put poultry spice inthe mash that they have been even more greedy than usual. As long as it won't be doing them any harm then I needn't worry. Thanks for your replies guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted May 23, 2007 Author Share Posted May 23, 2007 Ditto Hope you're enjoying your rescue chickens Forgot to say Jools...Im Sooooooooooooooo enjoying my new girls. I wish I had had the sense to get some chickens years ago.. They are an absolute delight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Sorry, thought this was a post about dieting! I'll get my coat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SillyClucker Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 our 3 eat 30 fl oz on a measuring jug of mash a day if that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted May 24, 2007 Author Share Posted May 24, 2007 Sorry, thought this was a post about dieting! I'll get my coat. ROFL well it could apply to me as well so no need to leave the room Silly clucker I'll measure out 30ml and see what it looks like compared to how much I have been giving them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SillyClucker Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 Sorry, thought this was a post about dieting! I'll get my coat. ROFL well it could apply to me as well so no need to leave the room Silly clucker I'll measure out 30ml and see what it looks like compared to how much I have been giving them 30 FL OZ's!!!!! don't want to starve them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted May 24, 2007 Author Share Posted May 24, 2007 OMG silly me.... I thought it didn't seem much. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickaboo Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 I think they just eat as much as they need. Mine scoff their treats but always stop once they've had enough. Mine love nothing better than a good ants nest, one of my hens Ruby (RIP) used to chase frogs and eat them whole ! Until I put a stop to it:shock: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
