Feeding chickens is quite simple.

You give them food and they eat it.

You show them food and they eat it.

You give them any food (except green peppers and raw onions) and they eat it.

They are not fussy eaters, in fact they are downright rude, untidy, greedy, voracious, unfussy, vacuum cleaners! The only request is that they do not sample the delights of other meat. They would love the succulent juices of roast beef or even chicken Kiev running through their beaks but this is strictly not allowed. Chickens are very good at getting bad ideas and if we gave then some tasty old meat then they would soon realise that a ready supply of distinctly not overcooked meat was available within their own kingdom.

My chickens have two feeds:

1. Layers Pellets which are strangely enough pellets
2. Mixed corn which is strangely enough mixed corn seed

Currently the greedy chickens make a container of layers pellets last around 4-5 days if they are getting some kitchen scraps. If the horrible, stinking, vicious, murdering, smelly old badgers break into the compound then the feed seems to disappear much quicker. Badgers are a big problem - see the FAQ page for some more information, Chickens expect, in fact insist on mixed corn round about lunch time. Failure to do so will result in a general work to rule from them and egg laying will be as per the Transport & Chicken Workers Union manual with no possible chances of meeting their laying targets.

Water is important and depends on the weather. As a rough guide it lasts around 2 days but they will drink more if the weather is hot. It is best to top it up when you let them out in the morning. A WORD OF CAUTION!!!!! DO NOT let the chickens out and then top the water up in the morning. Top the water up first. If you want to do it the other way around let me know and I will come back with my camera. Chickens are pretty thirsty after a long night, especially if it is warm, and it can be like the Charge Of The light Brigade. My, Silkie will always be first out so you have to watch out for her under your feet as soon as she sees you she will stop dead and start shaking on the ground.

In summary

Daily - Top up water (but should last 2 days if you forget)

Give them a red bowl of corn when you collect eggs at lunch time +/- 2 hours

Bi-Daily - Check layers pellets

Any time you like - Give them all your kitchen scraps