The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: The Relic on April 05, 2009, 01:26:34 am

Title: How much to feed chickens?
Post by: The Relic on April 05, 2009, 01:26:34 am: Ive 6 hens and a rooster who can dig up whatever critters they like during the day. i give them 250g of layers crumble every second day and 500g the other. am i giving them enough.
Title: Re: How much to feed chickens?
Post by: Rosemary on April 05, 2009, 04:15:38 pm: What does it say on the bag?

We feed ours adlib, so I've no idea what's right.
Title: Re: How much to feed chickens?
Post by: The Relic on April 05, 2009, 09:40:51 pm: says nothing on the bag
Title: Re: How much to feed chickens?
Post by: compost on April 05, 2009, 10:42:38 pm: i think the guideline is about 110g per bird per day for chickens a bit more for ducks.
thats what i am expected to give by the soil association and the birds are obviously free ranging all daylight hours.
Title: Re: How much to feed chickens?
Post by: The Relic on April 06, 2009, 12:14:00 pm: that sounds about right i read somewhere to give them about 7oz which about 196g thats for non free range. cheers thanks.

do u feed your ducks the same food as your chucks. im givin my ducks the layers crumble also. seem to like it but it can get quite messy and the chucks are always mooching for a easy lunch
Title: Re: How much to feed chickens?
Post by: gavo on April 06, 2009, 01:27:23 pm: Hello,

We feed our chickens, ducks and geese all the same (wholesome hen by Irwins feeds). It's in a galvanised feeder during the day and again they have access to it (and water) in their houses at night. It might add to your feed costs a little but then you notice a corresponding increase in egg production.

Cheers

Gavin
Title: Re: How much to feed chickens?
Post by: Wellieboots on April 06, 2009, 04:35:00 pm: Chickens are grazers, so give them a feeder & let them decide how much they want. Chooks (birds) ain't like dogs etc. as they have a finite size of crop & that dictates to them when they are full. Trying to gauge exactly how much to give them isn't the best solution & not a natural approach to allowing them to decide when enough is enough (again they aint dogs and will stop long before they are full)! :farmer:
Title: Re: How much to feed chickens?
Post by: Ross on April 09, 2009, 11:59:09 pm: What is crumble? Is it mash or pellets or what?
Title: Re: How much to feed chickens?
Post by: The Relic on April 10, 2009, 01:20:31 pm: its like a mash ground up corn it think it is
Title: Re: How much to feed chickens?
Post by: MiriMaran on April 12, 2009, 09:30:09 pm: I have 20 chooks. They have adlib layers pellets, 2 pints of mixed corn in the morning. At the weekend the have a treat of a soaked mix of sugar beet, porridge oats, bran, oyster shell, poultry spice and a vitamin tonic messy, but they love it and they layed all winter.