Can I use a hanging wild bird feeder for bantam chickens?

[MsGloria]

Newbie here!

I've been looking at a ton of feeders and waterers for my bantam chicks for when they grow up. Out of curiosity, is there any reason not to use a hanging bird feeder made for wild birds? I feel like my girls are going to be a lot smaller than your average chicken, and if the feeder is hanging anyways they aren't going to be perching on the feeder, just eating out of a tray.

Something like: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...eeders-deluxe-gazebo-bird-feeder?cm_vc=-10005 or https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/royal-wing-squirrel-proof-barn-bird-feeder?cm_vc=-10005 for example I feel like should work. Am I missing something obvious?

I'm probably going to go with this one https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/flock-party-7-lb-feeder-lavender-1030526-?cm_vc=-10005 but need to get the lid for the top.

Thanks!

 

[Weeg]

Newbie here!

I've been looking at a ton of feeders and waterers for my bantam chicks for when they grow up. Out of curiosity, is there any reason not to use a hanging bird feeder made for wild birds? I feel like my girls are going to be a lot smaller than your average chicken, and if the feeder is hanging anyways they aren't going to be perching on the feeder, just eating out of a tray.

Something like: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...eeders-deluxe-gazebo-bird-feeder?cm_vc=-10005 or https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/royal-wing-squirrel-proof-barn-bird-feeder?cm_vc=-10005 for example I feel like should work. Am I missing something obvious?

I'm probably going to go with this one https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/flock-party-7-lb-feeder-lavender-1030526-?cm_vc=-10005 but need to get the lid for the top.

Thanks!

Both of those feeders seem good, I would keep in mind feed capacity, and size of the holes. How big are they? I think it would work, but I would wonder about waste. If the holes are fairly small, they might scratch/knock feed out of the holes with their beaks and waddles. It also only holds 6 pounds, so depending on how many birds your feeding, might not last very long. My biggest concern would be if you go on vacation.

A note for the second feeder. Anything made of plastic isn't very sturdy, might not last very long. I also find with both of those feeders with open ports, that they waste a ton. Having a tray of some sort under neat it will help with that. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[MsGloria]

Both of those feeders seem good, I would keep in mind feed capacity, and size of the holes. How big are they? I think it would work, but I would wonder about waste. If the holes are fairly small, they might scratch/knock feed out of the holes with their beaks and waddles. It also only holds 6 pounds, so depending on how many birds your feeding, might not last very long. My biggest concern would be if you go on vacation.

A note for the second feeder. Anything made of plastic isn't very sturdy, might not last very long. I also find with both of those feeders with open ports, that they waste a ton. Having a tray of some sort under neat it will help with that. Just something to keep in mind.

Great call on the plastic feeder not being as sturdy. And thinking about waste from them knocking it.

I have six chicks right now, hoping there are 3-4 future hens in the bunch. They are bantam silkies and bantam Easter Eggers, so I was thinking that their feed needs will be lower than a standard chicken size flock.

 

[Weeg]

Great call on the plastic feeder not being as sturdy. And thinking about waste from them knocking it.

I have six chicks right now, hoping there are 3-4 future hens in the bunch. They are bantam silkies and bantam Easter Eggers, so I was thinking that their feed needs will be lower than a standard chicken size flock.

Definitely something to consider. Plus, I hate throwing that stuff away when it doesn't work out. If you do go with a feeder design like the second one, I would go with a good ol metal feeder. Same idea, but its metal. If you ever switch feeds, or feeders, than you can still use the metal tray at the bottom. I switched to fermented feed this year, and have ditched top of the feeder, but still use the metal tray to feed daily. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/harris-farms-30-lb-hanging-feeder?cm_vc=-10005

They definitely don't eat as much as standard chickens. Probably about half as much honestly. They don't need to eat much, but even though 7 pounds sounds like a lot, its not. That feeder actually is typically used for chicks in TSC brooders, its not very large at all. I bet it would stay full a few days? An exact amount I'm not sure.

 

[MsGloria]

Definitely something to consider. Plus, I hate throwing that stuff away when it doesn't work out. If you do go with a feeder design like the second one, I would go with a good ol metal feeder. Same idea, but its metal. If you ever switch feeds, or feeders, than you can still use the metal tray at the bottom. I switched to fermented feed this year, and have ditched top of the feeder, but still use the metal tray to feed daily. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/harris-farms-30-lb-hanging-feeder?cm_vc=-10005

They definitely don't eat as much as standard chickens. Probably about half as much honestly. They don't need to eat much, but even though 7 pounds sounds like a lot, its not. That feeder actually is typically used for chicks in TSC brooders, its not very large at all. I bet it would stay full a few days? An exact amount I'm not sure.

Thanks! Yeah I’ll go down and see the volumes in person. Maybe I’ll go for the 20 lb metal feeder.