Adding new birds to an existing flock...

[lomine]

I've found that the feeders that are raised up to about chest level have less food on the ground around them than the feeders that are on the ground. I think it is because they can't scratch it or push it out with their beaks. I had a couple on the ground for the younger/shorter birds but I think I need to put something under all of them. Another bonus to raising them is that they don't get shavings or straw kicked into them.

 

[Rebecca Thomas]

I've found that the feeders that are raised up to about chest level have less food on the ground around them than the feeders that are on the ground. I think it is because they can't scratch it or push it out with their beaks. I had a couple on the ground for the younger/shorter birds but I think I need to put something under all of them. Another bonus to raising them is that they don't get shavings or straw kicked into them.

That's true, I find the occasional chunk of hay/poo in the tray because of it being on the ground. Another thing to consider when we modify our setup next month. I need some 5 gallon buckets.

 

[Rebecca Thomas]

D

My birds do that too and they just eat it anyway. Low rubber buckets work well .. they are heavy and not easily tipped. TSC sells them. Or plastic trays they are about as long as a mattress so plenty of room to scratch around.

Also i keep my grains and corn all in a garbage bag and in garbage cans with tight lids to keep mice, coons and opossums out. Keeps mold out too nice and dry.

Do you put your food up at night? Someone mentioned putting the food away and not leaving it out after dark. I've been leaving mine because the coop is small but maybe I should put it up in the barn after the chickens go to bed.

 

[Mrs. K]

I try and only feed enough for the day. It is not the same amount each day. IF there is a lot left over, I don't feed as much the next day. If there is nary a crumb, I feed a little more.

Chicken do not eat 24/7. They do not eat after dark, unused feed just draws in rodents. The only time I do a 24/7 feed set up, is if I am going to be gone for a few days.

Wasted feed is expensive, I have double bowled mine too. With a smaller bowl inside a larger bowl. Then pour it back in the smaller bowl.

Mrs K

 

[AccidentalChickenLady]

That's true, I find the occasional chunk of hay/poo in the tray because of it being on the ground. Another thing to consider when we modify our setup next month. I need some 5 gallon buckets.

I've only got a flock of four, but I built these gravity feeders using PVC pipe from the hardware store (less than $20 for supplies to make 3-4 feeders), and have almost NO spillage. I added a meter gauge with a washer on the outside as the link at the bottom of the instructable shows, to give an easy visual indicator on when I need to refill. You can also get fitted caps to go over the lower opening if you're worried about rodents, though I find the elevated opening serves as a sufficient deterrent.

http://www.instructables.com/id/PVC-Chicken-Feeder/

It took me less than 30 minutes to build 2, they're moisture resistant (have kept feed dry through wind, rain, and snow over the past year), and are SUPER easy to clean out and disinfect with a bleach solution periodically. I strap them to the walls of my coop with large zip ties that I cut for cleaning and then replace. Just a few peeps from a fellow newbie!

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

D

Do you put your food up at night? Someone mentioned putting the food away and not leaving it out after dark. I've been leaving mine because the coop is small but maybe I should put it up in the barn after the chickens go to bed.

I don't put my food away. I always have a box trap set. Only corn stays out .. so I get bunnies lol. I don' mind if the bunnies eat a little corn. It's winter so I understand. I do not leave bread, eggs or anything else out cause that attracts the nasty stuff.

 

[Rebecca Thomas]

I don't put my food away. I always have a box trap set. Only corn stays out .. so I get bunnies lol. I don' mind if the bunnies eat a little corn. It's winter so I understand. I do not leave bread, eggs or anything else out cause that attracts the nasty stuff.

We have bunnies too. I'm wondering if the bunnies are eating my food.

 

[Rebecca Thomas]

Now there are two mysteries afoot. Not only is my feed going at an alarming rate, but my Ameracauna is laying two eggs a day. The only way I know this is she's the only bird that lays blue eggs, I collect the eggs every day, and three times now I have gotten two blue eggs in a day. She was also the only one to stop laying this winter. Didn't lay for 2 months. Then boom!

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

Mrs. K is correct leaving food out draws in rodents, so they may be eating your feed as well. I still leave my birds food out like I said I have a bunny in the barn who's been eating the cracked corn for a month. He doesn't eat much lol. I was thinking about how you said your birds are eating alot and I wondered do you let them free range at all? I went back in some of the old posts, but I didn't see that you did. I ask because I buy a 50 lb bag of cracked corn for 11 birds .. (and the bunny).. and that will last me a month at least. Yes I feed my birds cracked corn daily - the food is not put up - but my birds free range so they find most of their food from foraging. They get treats like black berries, bread, turkey, meal worms, etc.. but I'm not going broke at all over it. I'm prob spending $25.00 a month on special treats AND cracked corn (50lbs cost about $9.00). Just happen to think about you over the past few days as I fed my birds.

 

[Rebecca Thomas]

Mrs. K is correct leaving food out draws in rodents, so they may be eating your feed as well. I still leave my birds food out like I said I have a bunny in the barn who's been eating the cracked corn for a month. He doesn't eat much lol. I was thinking about how you said your birds are eating alot and I wondered do you let them free range at all? I went back in some of the old posts, but I didn't see that you did. I ask because I buy a 50 lb bag of cracked corn for 11 birds .. (and the bunny).. and that will last me a month at least. Yes I feed my birds cracked corn daily - the food is not put up - but my birds free range so they find most of their food from foraging. They get treats like black berries, bread, turkey, meal worms, etc.. but I'm not going broke at all over it. I'm prob spending $25.00 a month on special treats AND cracked corn (50lbs cost about $9.00). Just happen to think about you over the past few days as I fed my birds.

They aren't free ranging yet. I've been afraid to let them out. But I've gotten some pretty good advice on here about it and I think when I redo the coop in a couple weeks I'm going to start letting them free range a few hours while I'm out in the yard. I get a 50lb bag of 22% layer minipellets for 15.00 and then the cracked corn and meal worm treats. But I guess I'm wasting a whole bag of feed a month because "they eat" two. Definitely going to make some changes in the next few weeks.

My daughter collected 7 eggs this morning. Went back to the coop at 5pm to out the feed up and there were two more eggs. 9 total today. I guess since daylight hours are steadily increasing the gonads in these birds are in overdrive!