[SouthMains]

So we have about 30 chickens and I have always carefully measured out the amount of feed for them each day.  They get there layers rations first thing and they are totally focused until it is finished (it sound like a machine gun in the Barn s they are all so furiously pecking) they then tend to wander about in about 3 acres of grass land scrounging whatever they can find. then in the evening they get a few scoops of mixed corn to scratch around for.   I have a separate area where I have my young cockerels who are being fed growers and being watched til I decide who is going to get lucky and get a   girlfriend and who is going to meet Mr Oven.  Now in that house I have free access to food all the time, and they don't seem to be that fussed by the food and don't appear to be eating any more than the birds who I am carefully controlling.  SO for the last few days I have given all the hens completely free access to thelayers pellets...On day 1 they totally stuffed themselves, and spent the rest of the days sleeping ...not much foraging and they still had very full crops at bedtime so I skipped the corn rations, Day 2 they came out f the night time barn very calmly this morning rather than the normal rugby scrum for food, they were all very y leisurely eating and then went of to forage without finishing all the pellets.  Day 3 they seem to be eating about the same amount as they were eating when I carefully controlled it, only they appear to be eating it in small amounts through out the day.  Obviously this has only been a few days but so far the egg yield seems to be about the same.  I plan to keep this up for about another 10 days .  Just wondering what others opinion is on ad lib feeding over controld feeding.  My reasons for controlling were that I was told that fat chickens don't lay eggs and die young, so we need to control their access to the feed.  However form my very short trial they seem to be pretty good and regulating the amount themselves, and the free access seems to have reduced the competition around the feeding area. 

[the great composto]

My chickens get a measured ration and like yours will go back to it through the day.  The starlings eat their share and the chickens dont seem to want to fight for the food.

[in the hills]

I feed ad lib on layers pellets. I find they aren't greedy for these and only eat what they need. The only exception to this is in the autumn and winter when I sometimes have to remove the hoppers due to the large number of pheasants ..... they literally empty the hoppers and I don't like to encourage them to feed here due to the worms they carry.

[SouthMains]

I think i am going to carry on with the ad lib feeding and have been working up and idea for a feeding station for the hens with a pedal foot to raise the lid, as the only non chicken vistors I get to the feed is mice and small wild birds so I should be able to use the chickens weight to open the feeder.  I am lucky pheasants don't tend to vist our site, probably beacuse my labradors are let with the chickend during the day so the probably deter the other birds.

[hughesy]

We keep food available all the time. They'll eat the same amount but will take it when they're hungry.. Feeding a fixed amount that gets finished in a short time could mean some birds not getting their fair share. Our feeders are inside the coops to prevent starlings etc helping themselves.

[Bramblecot]

We feed all our hens ad lib layers pellets in a small makeshift covered area - keeps the feed dry and none of the larger wild birds seem to have discovered the feeders.  Mixed corn  is scattered around morning and evening to keep the hens busy hunting for goodies.  They have all learned to use the 'step on' feeder too - a lucky prize win as they are very expensive!

[sokel]

I feed at lib layers pellets in the hen houses  then on an afternoon they get the treats feed , thats usualy some brewers grains and any scraps we have

[graham-j]

Hi,I always feed mine ad lib pellets but,my dad always fed a measured amount of mash in the morning then scraps in the afternoon.I think he gave them half a cup each,I would ask him but he can't remember very much.
Out of interest just how much feed do you give your birds when feeding a measured amount.

Graham.
 

[SouthMains]

I was giving them 140g layers pellets per bird each morning, then some scraps at around 6 pm then  scattering of corn before bed.   My birds are mostly larger breeds, and have complete free range of about 3 acres so spend the day scratching around for other bits to eat.   With the new feeding regime, I would guess there eating about 200g of pellets, I have cut out the corn as their crops look pretty full at bedtime.   Since changing to this method they are starting to go totheir beds earlier and are much calmer in the mornings.  they also seem less active during the day and don't appear to be wandering around as much they are staying within the first acre nearest the barn...although the weather has been truly awful so this might just be because it is to wet to go furher afield.
 

[chrismahon]

Our Wyandottes eat as much as they want, which is actually the same as they are supposed to. They are all in pefectly good condition. There is one that would get bullied off the feed otherwise -she eats when the others have finished and gone. All our birds are on ad lib but some breeds are prone to getting fat. We have two Buff Orpingtons that are rather podgy and don't lay well. But they seem to lose it in Winter.

[graham-j]

Hi,very interesting I tested how much my buff orpingtons were eating last year and they were eating 150g give or take each when fed ad lib.They also get feed greens in the afternoon.My birds are kept in runs.

Graham.

[FiB]

South main - I thought they were supposed to go to bed with their crops full ??   I'm interested in the quantity debate....  Ive recently taken mine off pellets and am just feeding corn mix twice a day, but no idea how much they need. Doing about half a litre between 21 birds, twice a day.  They free range all day.

[graham-j]

Hi,I tried feeding my bird a mix wheat,corn and barley and cod live oil.My birds lost condition,eggs got smaller and the then they started feather pecking and eating eggs.I switched back to pellets and the problems ceased.
The broilers I tried on the same mix put on less meat and when I gutted them they had put on a thick layer of fat in the body cavity and around the heart.
My dad alway said don't feed them grain all the do is put on fat,and he was right.

Graham.

[Bionic]

Mine free range all day and have a mix of grain and layers pellets. I don't control what they are having as they just help themselves from the feeder.  The also know that the grain is kept in the stables so will always go there for an extra handout which they get morning and evening.
Sometimes I give them some bread and maybe some cooked rice, pasta or potato but that isn't an everyday occurrance.
I haven't kept chickens before but to my novice eyes they look in good condition and the eggs are a good size.
Sally

[plumseverywhere]

Mine had adlib layers pellets, they free range, then they have a handful of mixed corn/shell afternoon, and some veggies/pasta/rice to fill their crops at bedtime. Oh and goats milk in the morning!