Feeding only in evening

SummerTheAnimalGirl · Jun 18, 2022

StinkyAcres said:
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.

Thank you a lot for your concern! We needed chickens for tick control, so we need to free range. Thank you all the same tho!

SummerTheAnimalGirl · Jun 18, 2022

StinkyAcres said:
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.

Oh yes, that is a great tip. I will. Thank you!

Weeg · Jun 18, 2022

This thread may interest you. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/successful-100-forage-diet-experiment-long-post.1435544/

SummerTheAnimalGirl · Jun 19, 2022

Weeg said:
This thread may interest you. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/successful-100-forage-diet-experiment-long-post.1435544/

Oh thank you! Can’t wait to look at it.

U_Stormcrow · Jun 19, 2022

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

I'm sorry, I didn't see the notice.

YES. I free feed my birds to 8 or 9 weeks of age - they have a seperate grow out pen and run where I can feed them constantly and differently from the adult flock.

At 8-9 weeks they are big enough (and I'm often needing the space) that I can complete integration with the adult flock free ranging the pasture (whom they have been surrounded by for the last roughly six weeks).

Over the course of the year, I adjust how much I feed the adult flock in the evenings based on visual inspection, an awareness of their behaviors, feel (body condition checks), and internal examination during periodic cullings. That method, obviously, isn't for everyone - but since I can't control what my birds eat in my pasture (though I make efforts to ensure theire is constant variety), I have to be very "hands on (in)" to ensure they are being fed responsibly. and I offer highly nutritious commercially complete feed as their evening ration, not a low protein "layer" style ration.

Again, sincere apologies for the delayed response. Hope those links help.

Percheron chick · Jun 19, 2022

I manage my chickens and geese this way. I have just combined my 20 week olds with the flock and today is the first day that they can free range. I keep food out 24/7 up to this point ( when they are housed separately) but now will feed only at night with extra to have some leftovers come morning. They can eat the leftovers before they head out and the geese come over and polish off the rest.

U_Stormcrow · Jun 19, 2022

Percheron chick said:
I manage my chickens and geese this way. I have just combined my 20 week olds with the flock and today is the first day that they can free range. I keep food out 24/7 up to this point ( when they are housed separately) but now will feed only at night with extra to have some leftovers come morning. They can eat the leftovers before they head out and the geese come over and polish off the rest.

...and when I see them walking away from their evening feeding with food left after 5-10 minutes, I cut their feed a little, so as to make a less attractive nuisance for rodents, insects, and the like. Its a process of constant adjustment

Feeding only in evening

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