The Poultry Keeper

Myachickenchick · Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Nevedic, Morbihan

I purchased 6 chickens from a local french market two weeks ago. They are settling in nicely and seem very happy with their house and run, but I have no idea as to how much I should be feeding them, as they seem to eat none stop. I give them pellets and maize and lots of "greens" from the garden. Can chickens over eat?

CP · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:12 am Post subject:

Not normally on just pellets.
The things they will sell their soul for are the treats, which they will cram as much as possible in, even when their crops are full to bursting point! Shocked

CP · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:44 pm Post subject:

Just a thought - if they're still looking hungry then it may be wise to worm them. Wink

Myachickenchick · Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Nevedic, Morbihan

Sorry to sound dim but how much food. I did start using a hopper, but they soon discovered how to knock the top off!!

CP · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject:

We feed ours ad-lib. The feeder is out all the time so they can access it whenever they like. They self-regulate. Wink

mojo · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:17 pm Post subject:

french breeders tend to feed selling stock on wheat so they take time to adjust to pellets ...........just feed pellets ad lib no corn or maize and few treats after 2 weeks they will reglate their intake

Myachickenchick · Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Nevedic, Morbihan

Many thanks

monicalock · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 22 Location: aldershot, hants

mojo - why no corn? i thought that was a chicken treat!!

CP · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:45 pm Post subject:

It is a treat. You don't have to give them anything else. Wink

mojo · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:27 am Post subject: hi

to train chickens to eat complete food in pellets give no other food for 2 weeks after that you can spoil them or overfeed them as you like..........treats should be just that ......maize tends to put on fat .......wheat helps metabolism to heat up.......greens give added minerals and vitamins.......pasta and rice is nice as a side dish too........its a very personal thing some folks only feed pellets/grit/fresh water.......... others.........go the whole hog and cook them breakfast.....so you choose

paddles · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 11:38 am Post subject:

I was advised to begin with 100-150grams of pellets per hen per day. Ours are now an ad lib food and do well on it with added bits when it suits us. Do they have enough grit and water? Both are required to break down the food and without them hens may appear hungry while still having a full crop.

mojo · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject:

i personal beleive all 3 things should be adlib.....pellet food .............clean water...........oyster/calcium/fine stone grit...........with that and a draft free house and somewhere to roam your poultry will be in heaven

Welsh Duck · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 3:10 pm Post subject:

I give mine layers pellets ad lib in a hopper as well. They always have access to fresh water and grit.

They occasionally have a handful of mixed corn between them as a treat once they are used to pellets.

Woodburner · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 8:05 am Post subject:

CP · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 8:41 am Post subject:

Point taken - I have never raised that sort! Rolling Eyes