jacquiefrost Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 Hi i had my 3 hens for 1 and 1/2 weeks and i am not sure how much mash they should be having. They dont eat nearly as much of it as i thought they would, and haven't ever finished what i have given them. They are on marriages growers mash, which is what the breeder suggested i use. One of them (Rolo) has started laying in the last four days. Is she ok still with the growers feed? should i be giving her layers or something extra? I was told not to give them layers until they had all started laying. At the moment i would say they are eating approx 300g of mash between them in a day, give or take a little! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennie186 Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 Hi. not sure I can be of help. Have only had 2 chickens for 4 weeks. Mine are fully grown buff Orpingtons. When they arrived they wouldn't eat pellets - just grass, so after a week or so I bought them marriages layers mash. They tucked into this straight away. I refill the grub every morning with about a cup and a half of mash. not sure about growers/layers mash - sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 How old are they? If they are point of lay, I'd say they could be eating layers mash or pellets. As far as quantity goes, they will start eating a lot more once they are laying. I've never worried about or counted the actual amount - as long as there's enough there they will self-regulate the amount they need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 300g between 3 is about right the books say between100g - 120g per day per bird for large fowl after a while you'll know by eye how much to put in the feeder each day with a bit extra for piece of mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 They will eat more when they are laying. As SJP says around 120g a day is normal (when in lay) I would keep them on growers feed for now, I am a great fan of it - hardly any of my birds eat layers pellets as I personally dont see them as something necessary for the average garden hen. They will come to no harm on either but I do think the advice of waiting till they are all laying before changing the feed is sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacquiefrost Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 They are between 19 and 22 weeks. Thanks for the info everyone, i need to stop worrying, i'm sure they should know how hungry they are! Lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
