CAN I USE A GRAVITY FEEDER FOR MY GEESE???

[Phoenixwmn]

Hi there---lots has happened since I was last active here. I don't want to bore anyone, so we'll just skip that part.

I have Geese now, in addition to my Chikun Gurrls, and I'm very interested in learning if it's practical/do-able to use a Gravity Feeder for my Geese. They make SUCH a mess. I can't allow them to free-range here; my farm's in the middle of heavy woods & allowing poultry to free range is basically setting a Buffet table for predators. I lost an entire flock 8 years ago, and they dug UNDER the Coop, whose sides & top were bombproof. My Geese have a huge enclosure with a pool & toys and plenty of grass & weeds safe for them to eat.

ANYWAY--love my Goosey Gurrls so much, but GOOD LORD the messes they make! I hafta dump & refill the lil pool I got them every 72 hrs or it's a hot garbage mess. While they don't make much of a mess from their feed trough, my concern is limiting rodent feed theft as well as trying to reduce the number of times I have to squat/bend inside their enclosure. I had a total hip replacement recently and hafta take it easy on the bending/squatting stuff for a while. I got a Gravity Feeder for my Chickens & it was one of the very best investments I've made for myself and for them (along with an Omlet Coop, which is highly deterrent to predators)...anyway, just interested in lessening the bending I have to do to feed the Geese, and lessen or eliminate mice who regard the feed trough as a 24 hour buffet.

SO HOPING someone can help with suggestions, ideas. Thanks so much~ HAPPY FALL to you.

 

[CherishedFowlGuardian]

@Goosebaby might have surgetions but you have to be really careful which food do you use for geese because they are so big. My gift use is this.
I know isn’t cheep but it is so far working so.
But I you have to put it up somewhere at night so bugs and other critters won’t come.

 

[Phoenixwmn]

Thank You for taking time to make this suggestion. I like the look of that feeder-- but that it has to be put away at night won't work for me, and I'm not sure how that would keep rodents out of the feed.
But it really is a good lookin' feeder~!

 

[Goosebaby]

Honestly I can’t say because I’ve never used a gravity feeder. The main concern I’d have when thinking about it is the fact that geese need water when they eat, and wet beaks leaving water in the feed will grow mold if it sits for too long. Gravity feeders could attract rats too if they can access them.

 

[Scotchbroomfarmer]

Hi there---lots has happened since I was last active here. I don't want to bore anyone, so we'll just skip that part.

I have Geese now, in addition to my Chikun Gurrls, and I'm very interested in learning if it's practical/do-able to use a Gravity Feeder for my Geese. They make SUCH a mess. I can't allow them to free-range here; my farm's in the middle of heavy woods & allowing poultry to free range is basically setting a Buffet table for predators. I lost an entire flock 8 years ago, and they dug UNDER the Coop, whose sides & top were bombproof. My Geese have a huge enclosure with a pool & toys and plenty of grass & weeds safe for them to eat.

ANYWAY--love my Goosey Gurrls so much, but GOOD LORD the messes they make! I hafta dump & refill the lil pool I got them every 72 hrs or it's a hot garbage mess. While they don't make much of a mess from their feed trough, my concern is limiting rodent feed theft as well as trying to reduce the number of times I have to squat/bend inside their enclosure. I had a total hip replacement recently and hafta take it easy on the bending/squatting stuff for a while. I got a Gravity Feeder for my Chickens & it was one of the very best investments I've made for myself and for them (along with an Omlet Coop, which is highly deterrent to predators)...anyway, just interested in lessening the bending I have to do to feed the Geese, and lessen or eliminate mice who regard the feed trough as a 24 hour buffet.

SO HOPING someone can help with suggestions, ideas. Thanks so much~ HAPPY FALL to you.

Hi,
I use a timed automatic cat feeder to give my 5 geese a snack at night after they free range. It's plastic, but locks, holds about a gallon of feed. Your predators might chew thru the plastic, not sure. I'm not sure if it would be enough feed for your birds but you can set the amount (maybe a quarter cup is the most on my feeder) and the time (up to 6 feedings x a quarter cup on my feeder). It's an idea...

I also have a rat proof (chicken) feeder which I use when I have to go away on vacation. A bit expensive, about $200. As I dont' use it full time, I'm not sure if it really would keep the rats out. I did find some small dead mice inside it when cleaning it out last year .

Got my hip replaced 2 years ago, so I'm feelin ya!

 

[CherishedFowlGuardian]

Thank You for taking time to make this suggestion. I like the look of that feeder-- but that it has to be put away at night won't work for me, and I'm not sure how that would keep rodents out of the feed.
But it really is a good lookin' feeder~!

Totally understand!
I have to put the feeder in a different been that clips to keep rodents away and the chickens keeps the rodents away in the day time.