FunClucks
Crowing
I'm raising my first batch of 24 Cornish Cross and even though I did the research I was surprised by how food aggressive they are. Mine are coming up on 2 weeks old, so have one more week at least of garage raising then out to the open air covered run (10'x30'). I've been using a chick feeder and a 10 lb hanging feeder set on a support to raise it up (encouraging them to stand while eating).
I put out food in the morning and take it up at night (12 hrs on/12 hrs off). In the morning they mob the feeder, and I have to use both the chick feeder and the hanging feeder to reduce trampling and make sure everyone gets a spot. I take out the chick feeder after about half an hour when they've gorged themselves and calmed down enough to gather around the hanging feeder more peacefully while some of them are in a food coma. In about a week, they'll probably be too big for the chick feeder.
My concern is that as they grow and go outside, I'll need to feed everyone all at the same time first thing in the morning, and so I need more feeders. Also I don't want to waste any feed. I need to feed them what they'll eat for the entire day first thing in the morning (I won't be around to refill feeders if they run out). 24 chicks not yet 2 weeks old are already eating 5 lbs of food in 24 hrs - that's half of the 10 lb hanging feeder.
My run has a tarp across the top (clear, no rain gets in) and will be totally covered in 1/2" hardware cloth with a 3 ft apron. No free ranging due to predators.
I've had eggers for nearly a year now, and no issues with mice, snakes, anything getting through my other open air coop/run combo which is very similar to this one. For my eggers I use two size medium treadle feeders and have been very happy with them - the only food waste is my fault if I'm not careful when filling them. The eggers take turns 3-4 birds at a time on the feeders, and feed free-choice 24/7. It requires a bit of stretching and coordination for them to reach the food. I'm concerned that if I try to feed my cornish cross with two of these feeders they will mob them and become injured.
The treadle feeders I'm using for my eggers:
https://ratproofchickenfeeder.net/feeders/
What style feeders would you recommend instead? I've been considering bins with the holes they put their heads through down the sides. Like this one. Cost is an issue, but more important I want everyone to get enough to eat, not get injured, and not waste food. Also I want the feeders to hold enough food for the entire day, or longer if possible. I would block off the feeder at night once the Cornish are outside.
What would you guys recommend?
I put out food in the morning and take it up at night (12 hrs on/12 hrs off). In the morning they mob the feeder, and I have to use both the chick feeder and the hanging feeder to reduce trampling and make sure everyone gets a spot. I take out the chick feeder after about half an hour when they've gorged themselves and calmed down enough to gather around the hanging feeder more peacefully while some of them are in a food coma. In about a week, they'll probably be too big for the chick feeder.
My concern is that as they grow and go outside, I'll need to feed everyone all at the same time first thing in the morning, and so I need more feeders. Also I don't want to waste any feed. I need to feed them what they'll eat for the entire day first thing in the morning (I won't be around to refill feeders if they run out). 24 chicks not yet 2 weeks old are already eating 5 lbs of food in 24 hrs - that's half of the 10 lb hanging feeder.
My run has a tarp across the top (clear, no rain gets in) and will be totally covered in 1/2" hardware cloth with a 3 ft apron. No free ranging due to predators.
I've had eggers for nearly a year now, and no issues with mice, snakes, anything getting through my other open air coop/run combo which is very similar to this one. For my eggers I use two size medium treadle feeders and have been very happy with them - the only food waste is my fault if I'm not careful when filling them. The eggers take turns 3-4 birds at a time on the feeders, and feed free-choice 24/7. It requires a bit of stretching and coordination for them to reach the food. I'm concerned that if I try to feed my cornish cross with two of these feeders they will mob them and become injured.
The treadle feeders I'm using for my eggers:
https://ratproofchickenfeeder.net/feeders/
What style feeders would you recommend instead? I've been considering bins with the holes they put their heads through down the sides. Like this one. Cost is an issue, but more important I want everyone to get enough to eat, not get injured, and not waste food. Also I want the feeders to hold enough food for the entire day, or longer if possible. I would block off the feeder at night once the Cornish are outside.
What would you guys recommend?
