Bucket feeder

[Soon2BChixMom]

When we tried to switch feeders on our 5 year old hen, she couldn’t figure it out even after several training sessions. Back in high school I had pet zebra finches die because they couldn’t access their feed after I switched feeders on them. So I didn’t force the issue and switched back to her old feeder. The new chicks switched waterers and feeders with no problem. I worry that the idea “they’ll eat if they get hungry enough” doesn’t work if the chickens really can’t figure it out or are too scared of it.

I do understand that and I am watching my ducks to see how they are doing. I put some meal worms inside the feeder past the lip, they ate those just fine. So, in my case I am sure they will figure it out - or they already have and that is what I was trying to figure out.
I based my response above on my own 2-3 yr old chcikens who I acquired at 1 and 2 yrs old. I started them with the feeder that was given to me, but then switched to a pvc pipe set up. They figured it out pretty quickly. My chickens don't seem to mind change as much as I have read that some do.

 

[blackdog043]

2 inch is to small, get 3 inch 90 degree elbows and make them 3/4 - 1 inch off the bottom of the bucket.

 

[Multigirl87]

Thank you! I’m going to try bigger elbows

 

[tigger19687]

take the elbows out and see how they do. Obviously you need to make the feed only filled a little under the opening.
Mine seem to do much better this this. Well 2 of the 4 anyway.

 

[SimoneG]

I just have holes in my bucket... 2" ones no elbows its working out but I have guineas.