[Declan]

I alway use a measuring jug to measure out the layers pellets as all the books suggest that a layign hen needs about 130grams of feed per day. I was given a new 4.5kg feeder and so i filled it up and thought that it should last two days- I have 22 birds in a large pen in the field.  To my surprise that evening when i went to lock the birds up and the feeder was empty. So out of curiousity i filled it again the following morning and same thing again- that evening it was empty.

Is this normal- or should i resort back to the two and a half scoops in the feeder every morning?

[doganjo]

The same thing happened to me a few years ago and I went back to just giving them the correct amount at feeding times.  I reckoned other things were eating the pellets - rats, mice, birds etc

[BlueDaisy]

Mine are the opposite - I wish they would eat more layers pellets (in the vain hope that might make them lay more eggs )
They seem to take ages to finish their feed hopper. It used to only take them 3 days. Though I have caught them nicking the growers pellets, which apparently are more tasty!

[doganjo]

Mine are the opposite - I wish they would eat more layers pellets (in the vain hope that might make them lay more eggs )
They seem to take ages to finish their feed hopper. It used to only take them 3 days. Though I have caught them nicking the growers pellets, which apparently are more tasty!

That is exactly why I only put down what I know they will eat at one sitting.  If I left a huge hopper they'd have what they want then the rats etc would tuck in.  I treat my birds the same as my dogs.  Food goes down - if not eaten in ten minutes it comes back up and nothing left till the next meal at teatime.  That way I know exactly what they are eating and can increase it if required.