Chick crushed under treadle pedal feeder

[sophi3]

Devastated and posting this as hopefully a warning to prevent another accident like this occurring. Have been putting mama hen and her 4 babies out in the run during the day and back inside at night for the past 2 days, and one of the chicks just died under the regular feeder the hen (used to be hens) has always used. It was small enough to stand under the pedal and mum had stepped on and crushed it underneath. Poor thing must have died quickly I hope. To anyone with birds/chicks small enough to fit underneath a treadle pedal, please avoid using them. Such a stupid and avoidable death and I'm so upset and frustrated.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry about the chick.
Thank you for posting the warning, I'm sure will help others to avoid this in the future.

 

[GreenJay]

so sorry that happened! RIP little one.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Sorry for your loss.

But never, ever, use treadle feeders around chicks. The Chinese made types like the Grandpa feeder have wide treadle plates that can crush chicks but even our feeder has the potential with a narrow and distant treadle step.

Past that, chicks can get trapped inside a treadle feeder.

Treadle feeders are for adult birds. Minimum weight of the birds ought to be at least three to four pounds so they are heavy enough and have enough reach to use the feeder.