Chickens will only use feeder as last resort.

[thecatumbrella]

Unfortunately they seem to be so stubborn that even that won't work!
I recently went on holiday for 2 weeks (with someone to look after them) and during that time they had no treats at all, but when I came back, the feeders weren't nearly as empty as they should've been.

You'd be surprised by how little bantams eat. I know I was!

We own a couple of chicken toys that work really well with pellets. The Lixit treat ball lets them roll it around and work the food out gradually. Mine also love the RentACoop treat dispenser, but beware, it's a bit of a pain to refill.

Are you able to get a crumble version of their food? It might be worth experimenting with a small bag to see if that gets them more interested as well.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Unfortunately they seem to be so stubborn that even that won't work!
I recently went on holiday for 2 weeks (with someone to look after them) and during that time they had no treats at all, but when I came back, the feeders weren't nearly as empty as they should've been.

I recently… ok, actually over a month ago added an all-flock feed as an always-available supplement to our girls’ fermented whole grain feed. They have fought bitterly, but they’re finally eating it while not loving it. 5 weeks later.

Stand your ground, cut out all treats, and wait them out. As long as the feed is fresh and the location and feeder aren’t scary, they’ll eat eventually.

 

[Omelette-in-progress]

You'd be surprised by how little bantams eat. I know I was!

We own a couple of chicken toys that work really well with pellets. The Lixit treat ball lets them roll it around and work the food out gradually. Mine also love the RentACoop treat dispenser, but beware, it's a bit of a pain to refill.

Are you able to get a crumble version of their food? It might be worth experimenting with a small bag to see if that gets them more interested as well.

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll have a look at the treat dispensers.

I think I've seen a small bag of crumble a where I get their feed. Unfortunately it's a expensive brand- but if they actually eat it then I guess I could look around for a cheaper one.

I might be overreacting about this, bantams do eat less...
But then aren't their crops meant to be full before they go in for the night?

 

[Omelette-in-progress]

I recently… ok, actually over a month ago added an all-flock feed as an always-available supplement to our girls’ fermented whole grain feed. They have fought bitterly, but they’re finally eating it while not loving it. 5 weeks later.

Stand your ground, cut out all treats, and wait them out. As long as the feed is fresh and the location and feeder aren’t scary, they’ll eat eventually.

Thanks! I'll give it a go, they have to give in eventually!

 

[Al Gerhart]

Unfortunately they seem to be so stubborn that even that won't work!
I recently went on holiday for 2 weeks (with someone to look after them) and during that time they had no treats at all, but when I came back, the feeders weren't nearly as empty as they should've been.

You've done the math? A quarter pound per bird per day? Ignore the roosters unless you have a lot of them.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I might be overreacting about this, bantams do eat less...
But then aren't their crops meant to be full before they go in for the night?

I've had the same concerns. My large fowl would fill up at the feeder before heading to bed. My bantams lounge around for about 60-90 minutes before heading to roost without eating. I'm convinced that they're just wired differently.

Everyone's still alive, so they must be eating something besides wood chips!

 

[Omelette-in-progress]

You've done the math? A quarter pound per bird per day? Ignore the roosters unless you have a lot of them.

No, I was just guessing, I'll have a look at how much my feeders can hold...

 

[Omelette-in-progress]

I've had the same concerns. My large fowl would fill up at the feeder before heading to bed. My bantams lounge around for about 60-90 minutes before heading to roost without eating. I'm convinced that they're just wired differently.

Everyone's still alive, so they must be eating something besides wood chips!

I'm so glad it isn't just mine! And they must be wired differently-I could spend all day watching their hilarious antics.