Re: feeder. I don't think you'll go wrong with a larger feeder. Elevating or suspending it will help prevent them from pecking it all out and you'll surely enjoy getting to go out of town knowing they can get by without a daily ration
i give treats daily. they don't seem to mind. I also define treats as anything other than their normal feed: sometimes mealworms, often kitchen scraps (veggies, cucumber hanging on a stick, corn on the cob, etc.