Right Amount of Fermented Feed?

[GlicksChicks]

I ferment a mix of whole grains which includes some or all of the following- corn, oats, wheat, barley, triticale, rye, and field peas. I start with 1/4 pound per bird of the dry mix. No idea what it weighs after fermenting. After fermenting I add in meat, animal organs, and suet for additional protein and fat. I actually do a bunch of different variations, sometimes adding sunflower seeds, alfalfa pellets, and/or mealworms, isopods, dubia roaches, and/or worms. I use a feed calculator whenever I make up a new mix to ensure that I am including all of the right nutrients and enough of them.

Rarely I will add some table scraps but not often because they throw off my entire ration. My flock has a 15'x50' fenced run to forage in during warm weather but it is definitely not free range.

If you aren't sure that your flock is getting enough food you could try adding a bit more and then increasing the amount a little at a time and see what happens. If I was feeding your flock I would start with 6.75 pounds of dry feed, but my grain mix is a lot more nutritious than what you are feeding- but on the other hand if your flock is free ranging they will be foraging for part of their day's nutrition. You probably aren't far off if the hens look and act healthy and are laying plenty of eggs.

They lay plenty of hard shelled eggs and always have full crops. They can find plenty of food here, and I like switching food with oats, scratch, and the like.

 

[Perris]

If the chickens can choose whether or not to eat them (RPF), they're fine too.

 

[bearcreekbees]

Are my chickens getting enough food between the fermented feed, veggies, and all the free ranging? I live in Texas so it is still nice and green where they range. It has been in the 60s and 70s. I want my chickens to be the happiest and healthiest they can be!

Oh, I thought you were asking if your flock was getting enough food?

 

[GlicksChicks]

Oh, I thought you were asking if your flock was getting enough food?

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