Author Topic: Feeding (Read 1804 times)

Bramham Wiltshire Horns · « **on:** July 12, 2016, 08:11:11 pm »

I feed my egg layers slightly 2 kilo per day between 11 hens and 4 Muscovy ducks usually in the morning

They always follow me around for more feed in the evening

Should i split this feed into 2 feeds while the evenings are light

I don't like feed on a night to avoid attracting rats etc

What do people think

Caroline1 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2016, 08:22:14 pm »

I feed in 2 batches, in the morning and then again about 4pm. I don't know in weight as I just fill a jug and aim to get so that they eat nearly all but with a little bit left so I know they have had enough. I often give a sprinkling of corn in the evenings and reduce their food a bit.

If there is a lot left, we often put the food bowl in the coop with them to prevent the rats eating it

Dave C · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2016, 09:17:39 pm »

I like to give them something to fill there crop before bed, normally a few handfuls of scratch corn an hour or so before dark.
In the dark nights if I'm no there I will leave some out during the day, then take it out of the coop at dark to prevent rats.

Bramham Wiltshire Horns · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2016, 09:43:44 pm »

Thank you

Daleswoman · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2016, 09:48:34 pm »

I have 22 hens plus a cockerel and they have ad lib layers pellets in a feeder, plus a scoop (approx 1lb weight) of mixed corn to get them in at night. If they are shut in, they get through approx 1 kilo each per week; when they are free ranging I reckon they eat half that amount of pellets.

My ducks - currently 3 adult Campbells and 4 juvenile Muscovies - eat 2 scoops of layers plus half a scoop of corn per day. (1 scoop = approx half a kilo) Some of this is actually eaten by hens who have found out there is extra feed in the duck pen.

I have had wine and have forgotten the question - does this help?

dr241000 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2016, 10:02:01 pm »

I feed my 25 hens in 2 batches. At around 6 am and 5 pm. I also just fill up a scoop which i think is about 1L, (weight?). They do also have a field to free range during the day so they get natural food from this as well but they never seem to go hungry.