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Monday, 18 January 2016

Chicken Feeders

In trying to get my chicken keeping in order I'm planning on changing my feeders.
 I currently use small galvanized feeders. The trouble with these is that all the other animals and wildlife can have a go at it as well. 
Around here there is a lot of shoots where they rear pheasants and they all tend to use spring barrel feeders on legs. So I decided to buy a spring and make a barrel feeder up, I've been thinking about doing this for years and in the end it took about ten minutes to make! 
 The one batch of hens are trying it out, so I'm hoping they get the hang of it quickly.
How do you feed your chickens? What feeder would you recommend to prevent wildlife from stealing it all?
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14 comments:

  1. Dawn18 January 2016 at 07:57

    we just have the typical feeders but now they are in the chicken shed along with there water, since being in there has been a drop in how often refilling is taking place

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    1. Kev Alviti18 January 2016 at 21:57

      It's amazing how much wild birds, mice and rats will take. I'm really trying to cramp down on it at the moment.

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  2. Happeninguponhappiness18 January 2016 at 10:35

    I was going through loads of chicken pellets using a feeder - I'm guessing rats were helping themselves. I now just put down enough for the day in a heavy bowl so there's nothing left over night. It's messier, but I'm using less feed....

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    1. Kev Alviti18 January 2016 at 21:58

      Are you still getting the same number of eggs? I think I need to start measuring it out and working out what each bird eats.

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  3. Tania18 January 2016 at 11:56

    We have used the spring type feeder with success. We suspended it from the roof of our chookhouse.

    At the moment we are using a treadle feeder. Not sure if you have these types over there. Here is a link to one in Australia so you know what I am talking about :) http://www.chooktred.com.au/Chooktred/Welcome.html

    We had a lot of trouble with house sparrows and pigeons eating our grain, so we have tried different methods. Slowly but surely the pigeons have worked out how to work the treadle grrr!

    xTania

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    1. Kev Alviti18 January 2016 at 22:03

      Yes I'd love soemthign like that but they work out quite expensive when you haev up to four pens of chickens. Maybe I could make one.
      Pigeons and air rifle make a good mix by the way!

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  4. Jason and Michelle18 January 2016 at 12:24

    I use galvanized feeders. They are in the hen house. I don't think I have any critters helping themselves.

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    1. Kev Alviti18 January 2016 at 22:04

      My hen houses are more just coops for night time sleeping so wouldn't want them eating in there. I know I have certain issues with four legged friends as I can see the trails. I have poison down but it's not working at the moment.

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  5. Val18 January 2016 at 18:33

    We have used suspended galvanized hoppers under cover but they are not perfect ..I've wondered about the treadle sort too
    http://www.communitychickens.com/diy-automatic-chicken-feeder/ the indoor bantam has a small dish ..but then she's in the laundry in a guinea pig cage on the dryer ...lol

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    1. Kev Alviti18 January 2016 at 22:05

      I've looked at making these but I don;t think the ply would hold up with how damp it is here unless I could make it from something else.

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  6. PioneerPreppy18 January 2016 at 23:45

    We have a hanging plastic feeder but it's only used in the barn. The chickens seem to prefer foraging outside and raiding the sheep feeders over their normal one :)

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  7. Cro Magnon19 January 2016 at 05:02

    Hand broadcast once a day, and everyone joins in. Usually as I leave their pen, two Ring Doves and about 20 Sparrows join the eating frenzy.

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  8. Sue19 January 2016 at 15:50

    We use the large 'Emperor' feeder for the chickens:
    http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Emperor_Poultry_Feeder.html

    We were losing a lot to the wildlife with the large base in place, so we changed it to the smaller one that comes with the feeder and problem solved. We are going through much less food now.

    We don't mind the wildlife getting some of the food, the squirrels leave this feeder alone and tend to feed out of the dish in the Eglu which is left open for the chickens to use as a wet weather shelter.

    Our other pellet feeder is the same small galvanised one as yours it's easier for the bantams to feed from.

    We used to have a feeder IN the old henhouse but our birds have always preferred to feed outdoors and it would remain full for ages.

    Corn is scattered along with any trimmings from the polytunnel on the hardstanding in Chicken World once during the morning and is usually gone before any wildlife can join the picnic.

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  9. Sue G20 January 2016 at 05:20

    Kev, I've just been away for a week so I missed all your news. Congratulations to both of you on the birth your baby son Alastair, very pleased and glad it went well for you both, if somewhat stressful. You seem like you've settled down to normal life again, hope you're not missing too much sleep. Well done Claire!

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