Eglu Go With 2m Run For Sale

[HappyHopper]

I have so many questions but am trying to limit them to absolute essentials .

 

We have had a barnvelder, a light sussex and a welsummer for a week now. The man at the local feed shop said we should feed them half a cup of layers mash a day mixed in with vegetables but we have also been told by other 'chicken experts' to feed them only layers mash in the morning and anything else in the afternoon so they get the essential nutrients from the layers mash before filling up on other things (and lay more eggs).

 

So in the morning we feed them a whole cup of layers mash in the morning, it goes like a flash, they are really hungry birds! Should we feed them as much mash in the morning as they can eat?.

 

In the afternoon we fed them e.g. some mixed grains and corn, leftover rice, peas and sweetcorn etc - that usually goes in about 30 seconds. Should we then give them some more layers mash so they don't go to bed hungry?

 

(We let them free range for an hour or so every day - They tear the garden up in search of worms etc, especially the welsumer, I don't think we have ever reached a point when they are full and stop eating!)

[emmastar]

Mine are about 10 weeks old now and get as many pellets as they will eat and only get treats at night when i come home from work .

Theey also free range in the garden in the afternoon so eat all sorts from there too .

[mollyripkim]

Mine have constant access to layers pellets so can eat as much as they want. I let them out to FR every day around 11 so I know they have had a good portion of pellets but even then I see them go back in the run to eat some more, especially if it is mixed with chicken spice (they had it for a couple of weeks recently as I had a girl moulting).

[Redwing]

I'd recommend pellets or dry mash in a feeder available all day and treats in the late afternoon only

 

Chickens regulate their own eating and pick at the food throughout the day, its virtually unheard of for one to over-eat so there is nothing to be gained from rationing their food to 'mealtimes' - apart from anything its a tie for you!

[Henchanted]

My thoughts are what the others posters have said, give them access to feed all day.

 

As to the amount, there will be a guide on the feed bag, (usually about 125-150 gms per hen per day) so weight the amount so you know what it looks like in the cup you use and that way you can be sure they are getting the right amount.

 

Also, depending on your feeder, it may be that your little darlings are flicking feed about in search of something more interesting, emptying the feeder but in fact having the feed on the run ground, (mine still do this occasionally ) So they don't get any extra so they end up picking it out throughout the day!

 

Personally I don't give cooked rice or leftovers and only give fresh green leaves (lettuce/cabbage/spinach) as treats, including short grass, mine absolutely love this and its all full of essential vitamins and calcium.

 

The pellets/mash provide a good balance of all they need.

 

Giving corn as treats, is more useful during the cold and longer nights as it is a slow releasing energy given before bedtime. Beware that too much corn will make hens fat and lay less (do this when you want a table bird) and not get the balance of nutrients if they favour it more than the feed.

 

Mealworms are fantastic for training, good protein and the hens adore them.

Edited July 16, 2011 by Guest

[jennym]

One thing I noticed quickly about my chooks is how thin they are - layers use a lot of energy making eggs, so they will not be plump like a chicken from sainsburys! Because of this I would not limit their food intake, just manage WHAT they eat - pellets all day, FR foraging in the afternoon or evening if I have time to supervise, and an occasional treat of corn or mealworms.

[fudgeychook]

3 handfulls of grain a day as a treat

keep feeder topped up with layers pellets

[Egluntyne]

Pellets or mash to be available all day, with free ranging and minimal treats is the way to go.

[Henchanted]

....there will be a guide on the feed bag, (usually about 125-150 gms per hen per day) so weight the amount so you know what it looks like in the cup you use and that way you can be sure they are getting the right amount.

 

 

It is good to know the correct amount of feed so that you can work out how much feed you give in 7 days and then work out the doseage of Flubenvet, for example.

[HappyHopper]

Thanks to everyone, i've started leaving them enough layers mash/pellets for the day now (with afternoon treats)