The Poultry Keeper

Katiequiggle · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Surrey

How much do they eat. We got our 6 chickens on Monday and not sure how much to give them each day. With the round things that you feed them in do you just fill them up and they eat from it each day till its gone or do you fill it each day. Sorry to be a twit. I've just been giving them some and if they eat it all by lunch time, giving them a bit more.

Thanks for your help. Very Happy

CP · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:58 am Post subject:

I think most people feed ad lib so just fill the feeder & top up when empty.

If you want feed a certain amount & no more then you will need to calculate how much each hen eats a day & put just enough out - too difficult for my poor brain! Embarassed

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3469 Location: Monmouthshire

What appears on the outside of the layer pellet sack is 'up to 120gr per day' but like most others here, I keep filled feed hopper and they take what they want.

Welsh Duck · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:21 am Post subject:

I keep the hoppers full and let them eat as much as they want as well

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1103 Location: Sussex

I keep a external metal feeder full all the time, and they help themselves throughout the day Smile

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 766 Location: Nottinghamshire

Me too - fill the feeder every couple of days, they take what they need.

Katiequiggle · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Surrey

Thats great thanks. I was getting worried that they weren't eating enough as I gave them a couple of double hands worth in their feeder with some oyster shell stuff and they havn't eaten much at all. I threw them a handfull of corn at tea time too as I heard they like this. I'll stop worrying before I become like a mother hen myself Very Happy

I'm hoping they will feel settled enough to come out of the hen house soon, I've left the hatch open for them and seen them wonder out now and again but the slightest noise sends them running in again.

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 766 Location: Nottinghamshire

A word of caution - Feeding corn to hens because they're not eating pellets is a bit like giving children chocolate because they're not eating their dinner - if you get my drift........... Wink

They'll soon get used to the different sounds in their new home, and settle in.

Smile

Katiequiggle · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Surrey

How do you stop the dog barking at them everytime they're out in their run and them all running all back in. He did it to the rabbit by now he just gives her a sniff and she ignores him and they are fine. Do you think this will ever happen with the chickens Confused

They only get a small childs hand of corn in the evening in the hen house when we close them up for the night. How does a chicken taste a piece of corn its amazing isn't it.

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 766 Location: Nottinghamshire

My dog was told a very stern 'No' every time she barked at them, she soon got the message. It did take the hens a little while to get used to her, though!

Having said that about corn and chocolate, did I ought to admit to giving my hens some corn to go to bed? Embarassed

And wait until you give them a few grapes! It's hilarious!

Smile

vanessa · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1267 Location: Correze

I agree with the stern "no" for barking at chooks. It will work in the end ... depends how quick your dog is to learn.

Katiequiggle · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Surrey

My dog is stupid and still barks even with a stern no but the chickens just seem to ignore him now. I expect they're just thinking 'stupid mutt' I think he'd come off worse if he tried anything anyway.

I hung up a head of spring greens for them and they have not even bothered with it, thought they were supposed to go mad for it.

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

if they have never had greens before it might take them a while to understand what it is

Katiequiggle · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Surrey

Ok that sound reasonable Very Happy

What about kitchen scraps, in the book I have it says they can have scraps but what sort of scraps. My french neighbour whose parents keep chickens said they will eat meat scraps and love a bit of steak. Is this right I'm sure I read somewhere you shouldn't give them meat.

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 766 Location: Nottinghamshire

Chickens are scavengers and will eat most things, I've discovered. Most people seem to avoid feeding meat, although some feed cat food for extra protein. (Can't work that one out!)

My hens get fresh fruit and veg, with an occasional treat of cooked potato or pasta.