Chickens throwing food

[Who922]

For the last couple of weeks my chickens have been throwing their food. They are still eating, but there is food all over the coop floor around the feeder. Any ideas as to why they are doing that and how to get them to stop? Thanks for the help!

 

[Kevin565]

Is your feeder on the ground?

 

[Who922]

No, it hangs from the ceiling. It's been in the same place for two years.

 

[Den in Penn]

Did you change feed? Is the litter under the feeder higher then normal?

 

[yyz0yyz0]

I'm sorry but every time I see this title all I can think of is the scene from Animal House where John Bulishi stands up in the cafe and yells "FOOD FIGHT" then I picture your chickens in that scene instead.

LOL!

 

[swga]

What kind of feeder do you have? As my chicks grew up, they started throwing more food about. If you have the kind with large holes that kinda looks like a hummingbird feeder, you can put some spare hardwire cloth inside the bottom part (make sure no sharp pokey bits are jutting out, and the reservoir isn't obstructed). That will help keep the feed in, since it is harder to bill out of the smaller holes

 

[Who922]

What kind of feeder do you have? As my chicks grew up, they started throwing more food about. If you have the kind with large holes that kinda looks like a hummingbird feeder, you can put some spare hardwire cloth inside the bottom part (make sure no sharp pokey bits are jutting out, and the reservoir isn't obstructed). That will help keep the feed in, since it is harder to bill out of the smaller holes

It's a regular 20 pound feeder and they have been eating out of it since they were old enough in 2011. And this is no small place they have about 100 square feet inside their shed and 100 square feet screened in outside.

I'm sorry but every time I see this title all I can think of is the scene from Animal House where John Bulishi stands up in the cafe and yells "FOOD FIGHT" then I picture your chickens in that scene instead.

LOL!

Funny, it does kinda look like a big food fight! And they act like they're mad when I feed them their food.

Did you change feed? Is the litter under the feeder higher then normal?

No, no change in feed and the floor is the same level.

 

[Pstwenty7]

It's a regular 20 pound feeder and they have been eating out of it since they were old enough in 2011. And this is no small place they have about 100 square feet inside their shed and 100 square feet screened in outside.




Funny, it does kinda look like a big food fight! And they act like they're mad when I feed them their food.



No, no change in feed and the floor is the same level.

Same problem here. What's up

 

[EddieSalita]

What is the age of your chickens? Is it a mash or pellet?

My theory..... just theory.... would be that either the feed has changed somewhat. Or the chickens are maturing and are having different requirements.

I hate feed waste. It's only one or two hens that are the flickers. It only takes one to make a big mess. Once you have eliminated the possibility of intruders or wild birds doing it. Then just change feeders to a better design.

A rolled in edge to stop them flicking back, and if possible segments so they can't flick to the side.

This is my new one, it has eliminated the problem:

 

[gimmie birdies]

I put feed in a wooden dresser drawer (a high quality one) they can hop in side and kick food about like they like and it stays in.