Can a flock thrive being fed morning and evening?

[barkinghills]

I have a nice flock of 45 laying hens plus three bantam roosters that free range all day on one acre. I have been feeding them free-choice layer pellets, but we have a huge flock of starlings that has taken up residence in our trees this summer. The starlings descend on our feeders and clean out every morsel, leaving my flock hungry all day.

I am wondering if my flock could thrive being fed morning and evening? The starlings don't seem to be around so much then, and as it is now, I am filling the feeders morning and evening for the chickens and the starlings eat all the rest during the day.

Any ideas? Also, does anyone know if there is any type of feeder that is starling-proof? I am trying to convince my dad to come over a shoot a few of the starlings to drive them off.

 

[gamebirdsonly]

Shoot the starlings. That would be my only suggestion

 

[gjensen]

Fireworks might work. I would certainly try to get rid of the starlings. The feed they eat may end up being the least of your concerns.


Feeding the birds all they will clean up once or twice a day is fine.

 

[bramblefir]

Go check out the fermented feeds thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/645057/fermented-feeds-anyone-using-them

We ferment our feed and feed it only morning and evening (pretty much at 7am and 7pm every day). They only get fed what they can clean up in about 20-30 minutes. It works so much better than the free-choice feeding I did with our previous flock (which was also free-choice for wild birds and rodents!).

 

[tridentk9]

There's photos on BYC of a treadle feeder. The weight of the chicken on a treadle opens the lid to the food. Maybe that would work for you?

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Also, does anyone know if there is any type of feeder that is starling-proof? I am trying to convince my dad to come over a shoot a few of the starlings to drive them off.

Wild birds can eat a lot of chicken feed. You can find plans for a treadle feeder in my signature line that is starling-proof. Here is a thread on a trigger-style auto feeder, which is easier to make and probably less expensive than a treadle feeder that will also keep starlings from eating the chicken feed. Good luck!

 

[tridentk9]

WOW Gallo de Cielo, that is great. Discussion of why, how, how to adjust, PDF plans, photos. You did an awesome job explaining it. Thank you so much.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

WOW Gallo de Cielo, that is great. Discussion of why, how, how to adjust, PDF plans, photos. You did an awesome job explaining it. Thank you so much.

Thanks! It was a fun project.