[sussexchook]

i feed my gals a 50/50 mix of layer pellets and mixed corn they seem to love it but ive been reeding on here and from what people have told me i should only give the corn as an occasional treat i dont know what to beleive. am i feeding them correctly?

[GrannieAnnie]

No! 

Give them their layers pellets ad lib, then a handful of corn each later in the afternoon not only as a treat, but as it takes longer to digest, it helps keeps them warm as it digests when they are on their perches at night.

That's another reason not to give it to them in their feed.  They will probably eat more corn than layers, then as it takes longer to digest, they may not be getting enough nutrients.  The nutrients in the layer pellets is exactly right for them, corn is just wasted calories, bit like chocolate to us! 

[sussexchook]

thanks very much for yor advice what do you mean when you say ad lib

[GrannieAnnie]

Chickens are browsers, so they need their food out all the time, rather than put a bit out for a while then bring it in.  Our food is inside the henhouse, although some people say that encourages rats, but we find more rats around when the food is outside.  And the wild birds nick it too!

But keep it there all day and if its outside, take it in at night.

[sussexchook]

cheers for that its was just that ive had chooks for around 2 years now and they have been doing well but then you hear things and you start to question your self dont you

[GrannieAnnie]

No, don't question yourself, but as you go along you learn more and more. 

We bred and raised our own chickens and turkeys for over 6 years in this place, and I learnt a lot from some of the more experienced people on here, and from the professionals who we bought our turkey poults and chicks from. 

I can still read and learn something new though!   

Some people treat their poultry really bad, but they still lay eggs, so you think sometimes is it worth it, trying to do the best for them?  But it is, as they will live longer and healthier lives and hopefully lay for longer.