Automatic Feeder.

[macdoogle2]

Anyone here use automatic feeders? The kind where a chicken steps on a platform and the lid lifts up. I'm thinking of getting the one from Hayneedle. Do they work?

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I have two that I made and I love them. I no longer lose feed to the wild birds and mice, which was costing a lot. The one you point to on Hayneedle looks great, but is pretty spendy--I might consider a Grandpa's Feeder (made of metal) at that price. Even with the price, it doesn't take long for a feeder like that to pay for itself if you have a wild bird problem by saving feed and limiting exposure. If you're handy, you could make one yourself for about $35 using the plans in my sig. line. I should point out that there is some training of the chickens to teach them how to open the feeder.

 

[BellevueOmlet]

I built one that worked great. The only think was I had it in my run and it took up a lot of space. I gave it to my neighbor. They are pretty easy to build and work really weel. It is fun to watch the chickens learn how it works.

 

[speedy2020]

I built one and it work just fine. One issue I see is the chicken do step and stand on the top cover so the other couldn't eat at time. I do modified mine from the original so no more wasting their food & rat problem period.

Here is how my look. https://www.backyardchickens.com/image/id/5803155