Chickens hate my new feeders...

[dunnmom]

That is exactly what i am planning to do once spring arrives!! (i type as its snowing!! again!!) I am hoping to ferment the feed over the summer and into fall, and here's hoping that will break their habit, too.
Did you ferment- or literally just give them their feed but in water?

I tried fermenting, but there was so much probiotic in their pellets, it never smelled right. Smelled like yogurt instead of like beer. I just ended up soaking with water for 10 min. before feeding them.

 

[User395221]

but if I put the feed in there... it seems to just sit.
Maybe they are just playing me... like my kids!!

Good to know they all pretend to be starving ... maybe I just give out too many treats (rolled oats),

Some comments:
1. I got my big girls this fantastic treadle feeder. They can't really waste too much using it, flinging anything out would take time. The amount of crumble they use is noticeably less, to the point where I think they aren't even eating any. They are. They are EATING it and the amount is a fraction of what they seem to "eat" when they are flinging it high and low and wasting it. They go through a fraction of what I was giving them in the open feeders they used to have.
2. I'd hold off on/reduce "extras". You give them an option, they'll take it. You need to make it so they have to eat their "good food" (the one you want them to eat). Don't give them choices. It's your way, or the highway. They aren't "playing you", they aren't that clever, but if they like one food more than another, they'll go for it. Our need to "keep them happy" does the rest and we "play ourselves" to indulge with the treats over the "good food".

If you aren't sure whether they are sticking their heads in, put/fling some oats on the "good stuff" to lure them in.

I wouldn't worry. An animal with available food will eat it.