Bucket feeder

[Multigirl87]

Hello! This is my first time having chickens and I love it! I got six 2-3 year old girls about a week ago, and am making them some bucket feeders. One in the coop, and one in the run. I used three gallon buckets with 2” elbows for the feeder. My question is - I have yet to see the girls eat out of the bucket. The first day I had the bucket in there, I don’t think they ate any feed. I did put some sunflower seeds on the edge so that they would go in, but no dice. Are the elbows too small? Do I need a larger hole and elbow? Or if I keep “seeding” it will they get it?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Were they eating the feed before the bucket feeder? If they get hungry enough, they will find their food.

 

[Multigirl87]

Yes. They were eating just fine out of a dog food bowl. Except that they’ve spilled it twice in two days. Even when it will elevated on a concrete block.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I just switched to a bucket feeder my ducks are leery of it, but are eating from it as there is no other source for them to eat from.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I used three gallon buckets with 2” elbows for the feeder.

I don't have a bucket feeder, but I believe most use 3 inch elbows, 4 inches if they have roosters. GC

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

2 inch is awfully small. 3 inch is pretty standard for this applucation

 

[Multigirl87]

Thank you all so much! I will definitely put a 3 or 3 1/2 elbow on there!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I just switched to a bucket feeder my ducks are leery of it, but are eating from it as there is no other source for them to eat from.

I've often wondered how ducks or geese would do with these. Not currently keeping either (have in past) but was sharing the nowaste design with someone who was lamenting feed waste and they mentioned having them and being unsure it would work.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I've often wondered how ducks or geese would do with these. Not currently keeping either (have in past) but was sharing the nowaste design with someone who was lamenting feed waste and they mentioned having them and being unsure it would work.

When I got mine, I checked reviews on Amazon - I know I could have made it cheaper, but worth no hassle for me. Anyway, a few used it for their ducks and a few reviewers had pictures.
The only problem I see is that they are leery because it is new. I have muscovies and the drake is big, so it might work for geese.

 

[lingon]

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.