30 gallon feeder, too big?

[chickachicka]

Hi,
I am such a newbie. my chicks will be here late July & I have been ordering all the chicken supplies. Well, I goofed & ordered a 30 gallon hanging feeder. I am only getting 4 hens. Should I send it back? I would rather sell it to someone or use it for something else. I would appreciate any ideas.

thanks!

 

[EngieKisses]

That is huge, but agree with trying to use it for something else, or seeling it to someone else. We use a 5 gallon bucket feeder (its home made) and we do not usually fill it up. Mine tend to be wasteful if it is very full. It is just a 5 gallon bucket, an oil funnel, and a large pan that belongs to a planter all bolted together.

 

[EngieKisses]

Sorry, forgot to say

 

[gritsar]

I would pick up a flat feeder to use while your chicks are young, similar to this one:

http://www.randallburkey.com/PLASTIC-FLIP-TOP-FEEDER-20/productinfo/10835/


but hang on to the 30 lb. feeder (that's the size I have). It'll come in handy when they are older and there's nothing that says you have to fill it all the way to the top.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Youve already got it, and you dont HAVE to fill it full.

And when you get MORE chickens ( and you WILL), you wont have to buy another one

Edited to add:

I reread the OP and youre saying 30 GALLONS, while another post refers to 30 LBS.

30 GALLONS is the size of a large trashcan.
30 LBS is smaller than a 5 gallon bucket.

Ive never seen a 30 GALLON feeder.

Now Im confused

 

[chickachicka]

LOL!

Sorry, about that typo...I meant 30 pounds! NOT gallons. Yeah, I thought of filling it half way.
I guess that would be best. Thanks for all the input. I like to hear other ideas.

 

[gritsar]

If you decide to go ahead and use the large feeder from the start, make a lid for the open part at the top (where you fill it from). There was a BYC member quite awhile back that lost some chicks when they piled in the feeder and a few were crushed by the others on top of them.

 

[chickachicka]

thanks for the tip, but I did buy a chick feeder already.

 

[Chicksdigit]

Yeah when they get older it is sweet not to have to get the feed bag or scoop out every day lots of people say the chickens mess up food but my 12 chickens eat what they need and it stays clean. I have a home made bucket feeder that will feed them up to 2 weeks, if I fill it up all the way which I do if I go somewhere.
I say keep it you already have it get a Little Giant Automatic waterer and you will cut your chores in half. I set the feeder on two cinder blocks and the chickens eat when they choose. I have smaller feeders for my smaller chickies.

 

[txredneckmedic]

I have a 11lbs feeder for my chicks and ducks....seems like im refilling about every 3 days or so....thats with 3 pekins and 10 chickens