How long will a 50 lb bag of layer feed last!?

[kidcallous]

I completed step one of becoming a mother hen. I bought all the 2x4's and fencing and chicken wire.

My question for today is this: I plan on having 3 - 4 standard sized chickens, leaning toward barred rocks and rhode island reds to start. No more than 4 chickens.

How long will a 50 lb bag of layer feed last for 3 or 4 chickens? I plan to give them our leftover vegetables/rice after dinner, and let them free range for about an hour in the late afternoon. What do you think??

 

[gamebirdsonly]

ok I don't know for sure since I have nearly 200 chickens and go through 8 to 9 bags of feed every 2 weeks so I would say 1 bag for 4 birds maybe 3 weeks

 

[TipsyDog]

I think you could get 4 to 6 weeks once they are full grown. Mine free range all day and they eat much less feed.

Disclosure: I am not basing the above on any facts, just my guess...

 

[jennh]

It really depends on whether you let your girls free range or not. When they free range, they find alot of their food themselves. I have 11 full grown hens, and I go through a 50 lb bag in about a month, sometimes longer. But then, mine free range from midafternoon til dark.

Jen

 

[Imp]

Quote:
I have 4 hens, but I freerange all day and make them a large salad every night. I go through only 2-3 bags a year, excepting the last bag. I left the lid off the can and I think a squirrel ate about 25 lbs, in about 6 weeks.

I know someone who has 25 hens, and goes through a 50 lb bag a week plus scratch.

Imp- lives in giant squirrel land.

 

[DTRM30]

Mine free range for a few hours a day most days - but do spend a lot of time in their pen. They only get to free range when I'm home - in case a dog or otherwise gets into the yard - I'll be able to minimize the damage.

Anyway - I had figured it out for another thread - and mine go through about 1/4 lb of feed per bird per day. I have full grown mix f breeds.

 

[kidcallous]

I have been fiddling around on the site while waiting for some responses.

I really like the idea of feeding less grain, and allowing them to forage more. I plan to have 4 tops chickens in an 8x8 run...hopefully there will be enough ants and bettles traveling through while i'm at work for the day... I will only really be able to let them free range for about 2 hours a day, when I get home from work.

I have read some posts about people planting out trays of rye seed or other "sprouters" o supplement the girls' diets. Apparently the seeds grow within a few days, and once sprouted, the girls will eat the green and the seed husk that's still attached.

I JUST convinced my husband to let me do this. His quote: "These chickenns better pay for themselves in eggs"

 

[kidcallous]

Oh and one more thing - we have a vegetable garden at the moment... When we've harvested all of the crops, can we feed the plants to the girls?
We have
Tomatoes
Watermelons
Butternut Squash
Radishes
Basil
Thyme
Peas
Cucumbers
Pablano peppers
If they can eat the plants once they have given their last fruit - well, even better!

 

[jennh]

Kidcallous wrote

I JUST convinced my husband to let me do this. His quote: "These chickenns better pay for themselves in eggs"


The only way I got my chickens was to promise my DH that I wouldn't get any more inside cats. I had four, but had to put 2 down within a month. I said "You got a deal".
I still have 2 inside cats, one 14, and one 19. I had always told him I HAVE to have chickens before I die

Jen

 

[Imp]

Quote:
I think tomato plants might be a bad idea???
I've done pea plants.
Basil and Thyme should be OK.
Don't know about the rest

Maybe this will help

http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxicplants.html

Imp