A FOOD/PELLET NIGHTMARE

[theblondeangler]

I thought because it's been really cold here in Connecticut the last couple of weeks that my flock had been going through a tremendous amount of pellets. Well, turns out, about 25 pounds of feed was discovered on the floor of the coop underneath their bedding. What a waste! I had no choice but to shovel it out and dispose of it. I use a big galvanized feeder that hangs from the ceiling. I did change their feed recently from 16% to 18% protein (but same brand). I'm wondering if they hate it. Any thoughts or suggestions here.

 

[Welshies]

You have a wire bottomed coop?
Birds don't really "hate" food. That is beyond them. They may be picky and try to avoid eating it but would not deliberately get rid of it. And how are you sure that feed is the new kind, versus a bunch of old crumbs accumulated over time?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Keep the feeder and water outside of coop. When transitioning feeds or with crumble feed birds will throw it around. When this happens you can take the feeder away to make them scratch up and clean the ground outside. I don't know how you'd see to know when to withold the feeder for cleanup if in the coop. Trash can lid upside down to catch what's thrown maybe?

BTW- Feed is a rodent magnet as it is and more so when left sitting around in abundance. I hope you use tamper proof bait boxes with chunx bait or other suitable means to control rodent population.

 

[theblondeangler]

You have a wire bottomed coop?
Birds don't really "hate" food. That is beyond them. They may be picky and try to avoid eating it but would not deliberately get rid of it. And how are you sure that feed is the new kind, versus a bunch of old crumbs accumulated over time?

I'm not certain but I turn up the bedding enough to know that food didn't accumulate much past the last couple of weeks. Either way, there's a ton of food on the ground that's been wasted.

 

[theblondeangler]

Keep the feeder and water outside of coop. When transitioning feeds or with crumble feed birds will throw it around. When this happens you can take the feeder away to make them scratch up and clean the ground outside. I don't know how you'd see to know when to withold the feeder for cleanup if in the coop. Trash can lid upside down to catch what's thrown maybe?

BTW- Feed is a rodent magnet as it is and more so when left sitting around in abundance. I hope you use tamper proof bait boxes with chunx bait or other suitable means to control rodent population.

I keep the feed in the coop and water outside. My concern is if I put the feed outside, it will attract rodents and pests.

 

[Welshies]

I suggest using a rubber pan like what you use to feed sheep and horses. Place the feeder inside of it.

 

[junebuggena]

Bring the feed inside at night. It will attract rodents whether it's in the run or in the coop.

 

[theblondeangler]

I suggest using a rubber pan like what you use to feed sheep and horses. Place the feeder inside of it.

That's a possibility but the shavings would probably fill it up.

 

[Welshies]

That's a possibility but the shavings would probably fill it up.

It catches feed very well. If shavings would fill it then you can try raising it, I use stands for craft supplies works like a charm!

 

[theblondeangler]

It catches feed very well. If shavings would fill it then you can try raising it, I use stands for craft supplies works like a charm!

My feeder hangs though.