All the feed on the ground around the feeder.

[lewis98110]

So my 9 week old chicks are doing great. But I have noticed that in a 3ft radius around their feeder there must be 2-3 inches deep of feed that they have " thrown" out while pecking at the feeder. I only now noticed it because it was covered in loose straw. Will they eat that if I remove the feeder? Or is that cruel since they are used to eating from the feeder. Should I just scoop it up and throw it away? Or can I try and clean it and reuse it? Thanks for any insight.

 

[nuthatched]

Remove the feeder and make them eat the feed.
It helps to have the base of the feeder at their chest height to keep them from kicking out feed.
What type of feed is it.

 

[townchicks]

If the feed on the ground has stayed dry, it's fine to take the feeder away and let them eat it. If it has gotten wet, or even damp, it could be moldy and can sicken or even kill them. If in doubt, best to remove it.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Pictures please. If we know what kind of feeder we might have better advice for you.

Poults and chicks are hard to feed without wasting feed. Treadle feeders require at the least a two pound or three pound bird and are not safe for smaller chickens. But if you don't have a rodent or wild bird problem you will just waste feed till they get large enough to use a proper feeder I'm afraid. I'd spend the money making sure the rodents cannot get into the coop for sure.