So far the Grandpa's Feeder is winning the IQ test. http://www.grandpasfeeders.com/
Five of my seven hens would rather starve to death than step up on the treadle. (I think that the movement of the lid is what's spooking them.)
However, two of my seven have had the lightbulb moment and can open the Feeder at will. Their flockmates hang around waiting for one of the two geniuses to step up and open the feast for them.
I am determined to get the other five on board. Especially because the two lowest-pecking order girls will indeed perish if they don't figure it out. The others rarely let them get a nibble or two before the bully-pecks rout them from the Feeder.
I did follow the directions that came with the Grandpa Feeder. One full week leaving the treadle locked in place keeping the lid wide open. Followed by one full week leaving the treadle only half depressed with the lid half open, and now it's been two weeks with the lid closed.
I'm now thinking of a makeshift ramp that will reach the treadle. Maybe that will trigger some inspiration. We shall see. We live in hope... (The backstory is that wild birds used to visit every day, eating from the open feeders I've tried. Not cool!!)
The photos are from the Grandpa's Feeders website. I have mine set up inside the ChickArena, sitting on woodshavings, not grass.
Five of my seven hens would rather starve to death than step up on the treadle. (I think that the movement of the lid is what's spooking them.)
However, two of my seven have had the lightbulb moment and can open the Feeder at will. Their flockmates hang around waiting for one of the two geniuses to step up and open the feast for them.
I am determined to get the other five on board. Especially because the two lowest-pecking order girls will indeed perish if they don't figure it out. The others rarely let them get a nibble or two before the bully-pecks rout them from the Feeder.
I did follow the directions that came with the Grandpa Feeder. One full week leaving the treadle locked in place keeping the lid wide open. Followed by one full week leaving the treadle only half depressed with the lid half open, and now it's been two weeks with the lid closed.
I'm now thinking of a makeshift ramp that will reach the treadle. Maybe that will trigger some inspiration. We shall see. We live in hope... (The backstory is that wild birds used to visit every day, eating from the open feeders I've tried. Not cool!!)
The photos are from the Grandpa's Feeders website. I have mine set up inside the ChickArena, sitting on woodshavings, not grass.