Feeding only in evening

SummerTheAnimalGirl · Jun 18, 2022

Hello everyone!

I have 12 Free ranging Welsummer pullets. They are about 7 weeks old, and have been free ranging for about a week and a half. These are my first set of chickens. My plan is to let them forage during the day, and then in the evenin- around 6- I will feed them their store bought feed, and as much as they would like. We have lots of bugs here back in the country, plus plants of all kinds- so they should have a lot to forage. Plus occasional veggie and fruit scraps. So my question is, at what age would it be ok to do this? I know chicks need constant access to food, but at what age do they not?

Thanks so much everyone for the help!

SummerTheAnimalGirl · Jun 18, 2022

I know that @U_Stormcrow does something like this. Could you help me at all? Thank you!

Weeg · Jun 18, 2022

How much acreage do you have?

SummerTheAnimalGirl · Jun 18, 2022

Weeg said:
How much acreage do you have?

Thank you for taking the time to respond! We own 4 acres. Some of its forest, some of its tall grass, some short grass…kinda a bit of everything.

cluckmecoop7 · Jun 18, 2022

That sounds like it would work IMO!

My only concern would be predators.

SummerTheAnimalGirl · Jun 18, 2022

cluckmecoop7 said:
That sounds like it would work IMO! My only concern would be predators.

Thank you so much for responding Jessa! Yeah, that def is a concern, but we don’t have tons of predators here. Plus we have tons of hiding spots, and I am out there with them A lot.

nuthatched · Jun 18, 2022

Hi there, They really need to have their formulated chicken feed, almost exclusively until full size or they might be stunted in size, which can cause issues. They are also snack size right now, I've had coyotes come in the yard as I was there.

SummerTheAnimalGirl · Jun 18, 2022

nuthatched said:
Hi there, They really need to have their formulated chicken feed, almost exclusively until full size or they might be stunted in size, which can cause issues. They are also snack size right now, I've had coyotes come in the yard as I was there.

Thank you so much for helping me! Yes, that makes total sense. I will leave there feed full time! As about the predators, thank you very much for the heads up, and I will take this into consideration. Really appreciate you knowledge and help!

StinkyAcres · Jun 18, 2022

SummerTheAnimalGirl said:
but we don’t have tons of predators here.

Not yet, but you will have more eventually, especially with the property you have. It took almost 3 years for the foxes to find my chickens. I couldn't free range without constant losses after that.

StinkyAcres · Jun 18, 2022

As far as feeding only in the evening goes, make sure they have enough light so they can see their food. Chickens can't see in low light, and when it starts getting dark earlier they go to bed earlier.

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