ARRGH... being driven nuts by my feeders

[oregonkat]

I have two metal hopper style feeders that are pretty standard issue with the tray that attaches to the bottom with 3 hooks into 3 different holes depending on how high up you want the tray.... So my issue is that there is ALWAYS a cone of feed left in the middle of the tray inside the hopper, probably several days worth that the hens cannot get to. I have thought of getting some plastic cones, kind of like traffic cones and sticking them in the middle of the tray to force the food to disperse all the way out into the tray. Does anyone else have this trouble and if so how did you fix it?

 

[pennyJo1960]

I use 3 inch pcv feeder they have a elbow at the bottom to regulate how much feed come out

 

[RUNuts]

I put a metal can inside to eliminate the food pile. Food trickles around the can to the distribution points. Others have used plastic jugs cut and formed to their liking. Inside the food bin, cardboard can be used until you get the shape you are happy with and then construction one from plastic or whatnot or leave the cardboard alone.

I though about a cylinder, but that cuts down on the feed.

Some people use a rock for the added weight to keep the feeder from being knocked over. If yours hangs, shouldn't be an issue.

Cheers!

 

[Peppercorngal]

I have two metal hopper style feeders that are pretty standard issue with the tray that attaches to the bottom with 3 hooks into 3 different holes depending on how high up you want the tray.... So my issue is that there is ALWAYS a cone of feed left in the middle of the tray inside the hopper, probably several days worth that the hens cannot get to. I have thought of getting some plastic cones, kind of like traffic cones and sticking them in the middle of the tray to force the food to disperse all the way out into the tray. Does anyone else have this trouble and if so how did you fix it?

Yes, I had this trouble too. Especially if it were damp or rainy. I threw them away and now put feed in big metal flat bottom bowls I got at Walmart. I'm home all the time anyway, so I just fill them when needed. I have two for the big flock. The chickens and I are much happier now!

 

[GC-Raptor]

Anything you put inside the feeder will reduce capacity. I fill my 12# feeder when its about half full. I let my feeder get nearly empty every 3 months (every month in damp conditions) and dump out the feed to clean, and refill with fresh feed. The feed I dump out gets mixed with seeds/scratch to feed as a treat.
I have modified my feeder by flipping the cylinder upside down to make the trough wider. . GC

 

[oregonkat]

Anything you put inside the feeder will reduce capacity. I fill my 12# feeder when its about half full. I let my feeder get nearly empty every 3 months (every month in damp conditions) and dump out the feed to clean, and refill with fresh feed. The feed I dump out gets mixed with seeds/scratch to feed as a treat.
I have modified my feeder by flipping the cylinder upside down to make the trough wider.View attachment 1274676. GC

How many chickens are you feeding? I have 18 and they can go through the feed pretty quickly. I am not too worried about the reduced capacity I just want them to be able to get to all the feed.

 

[GC-Raptor]

How many chickens are you feeding?

Five Golden Comets. . GC

 

[jthornton]

An upside down funnel comes to my mind as a fix...

I built my feeder with the bottom at a 45° so no feed could stay in the feeder.





JT