Chicks VS Rats VS Treadle Feeder

[Anon112]

I have been battling rats in my run/coop for MONTHS. Got some treadle feeders (hat tip to aart!) and it's been an amazing difference. What I used to describe as "Ratatouille Nightmare" is now just a few rats trying to scavenge around (with very little success). Today I saw zero rats from dawn to dusk, incredible!

However, I have two chickens who have hatched chicks and now I feel like I'm in a quandry. The chicks can't use the treadle feeder on their own, but mama hen has been going to it with them and putting food on the ground for them. Adorable. My concern, however, is that one of the chicks might jump at the feeder or try to reach in and get squished by the door closing.

I've been hesitant to put out chick feed because I'm scared of pulling the rats back in (and I'm really scared of a confrontation between a hungry rat and a little chick).

I built a rat-proof "nursery" (two feet wide, four feet long, three feet high). The hen and chicks discovered it on their own and seem to like it.

In my position what would you do?

1) Trust the mother hen to feed the chicks from the treadle feeder (stocked with starter feed and oyster shell on the side for the adults)? Assume that the chicks will be safe from being squished?

2) Put out chick feed loose and accept that it may attract some rats?

3) Keep the chicks and mama in the nursery so that they have free access to feed without the threat of rats?

I let them out of the "nursery" when I'm outside and can monitor, which is about 1-3 hours each day. I've been leaning toward option 3, staying in the nursery with some free range time every afternoon, but I'm curious if others have experience with chicks and treadle feeders.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would put out chick feed as I wouldn't want it restricted during those critical first few weeks.

The only thing that gets rid of rats here is a secure bait station. I've had rats eat the head off a duckling. They are nothing to mess with.

 

[Anon112]

I would put out chick feed as I wouldn't want it restricted during those critical first few weeks.

When they're in the "nursery" they have all the food they want and the rats can't get in.

I think that I'm settling into the routine of having them in the "nursery" overnight and during the day when I'm at work, then letting them range with the other chickens/explore the run when I'm able to be there to supervise.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

We've used treadle feeders for years and my chicks can usually handle them with no problems at about 5 weeks old, right when I move them from the brooder to the coop. They hop right on as soon as they're ready, sometimes right next to the bigger girls, to feed. Your plan above sounds good, and you shouldn't have to keep them separated for long.

I've only ever had one rat in my coop, and I'd do about anything to not repeat that experience!

 

[Anon112]

We've used treadle feeders for years and my chicks can usually handle them with no problems at about 5 weeks old, right when I move them from the brooder to the coop. They hop right on as soon as they're ready, sometimes right next to the bigger girls, to feed. Your plan above sounds good, and you shouldn't have to keep them separated for long.

I've only ever had one rat in my coop, and I'd do about anything to not repeat that experience!

So I learned a hard lesson (and almost a VERY hard lesson) about chicks and treadle feeders. When their mom, Brenda, was out with them in the run she would get food from the feeder and put it down for them. So one day I let them stay out with her during the day while I went to work. When I came home, one of the chicks had clearly jumped in the treadle feeder and its leg was trapped in the door. Who knows how long it was there, and it was raining so it was very wet (I need to revamp my treadle feeder "roof" as it is really not working well at all).

Fortunately an hour in the incubator brought the chick back to its vivacious self (and the trapped leg only had some minor swelling), but YEESH!!

And now there have been three different times where I was sitting and supervising the chickens and a chick has put its head in the feeder and then had the door close on its head. (I've been literally right there, so was quickly able to open the door all three times).

They will definitely be confined to the nursery when I'm not there for at least a few more weeks. Thankfully Brenda has started taking them out in the yard during free time, so they aren't hanging around the treadle feeder as much.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

When I came home, one of the chicks had clearly jumped in the treadle feeder and its leg was trapped in the door. Who knows how long it was there, and it was raining so it was very wet (I need to revamp my treadle feeder "roof" as it is really not working well at all).

And now there have been three different times where I was sitting and supervising the chickens and a chick has put its head in the feeder and then had the door close on its head. (I've been literally right there, so was quickly able to open the door all three times).

You didn't mention how old your chicks are. Sounds like they're definitely too young to use the treadle feeder just yet. Mine seem to be ready whenever they're ready for the big coop - NOT chicks! I only use treadle feeders with fully feathered pullets and older. I'm trying to remember when that is, but as I posted above, I usually move them into the coop around 5 weeks.

Of course, there's an introduction period. At about 5 weeks, they're still separated (mostly) from the older ladies unless supervised. I'll still keep a regular feeder with starter/grower feed in the pullets' area while I slowly integrated them with the rest of the flock over a period of about a week or two. But they do have access to the treadle feeders.

I've never had any mishaps with the treadle feeders, and once they're spending more time with the older hens than in their pullet area, I remove the regular feeder - probably no later than 7-8 weeks. At that point, they all eat from the treadle feeders.

I'm glad that you noticed the issues and are willing to supervise now - good thing!

 

[Anon112]

You didn't mention how old your chicks are. Sounds like they're definitely too young to use the treadle feeder just yet. Mine seem to be ready whenever they're ready for the big coop - NOT chicks! I only use treadle feeders with fully feathered pullets and older. I'm trying to remember when that is, but as I posted above, I usually move them into the coop around 5 weeks.

Of course, there's an introduction period. At about 5 weeks, they're still separated (mostly) from the older ladies unless supervised. I'll still keep a regular feeder with starter/grower feed in the pullets' area while I slowly integrated them with the rest of the flock over a period of about a week or two. But they do have access to the treadle feeders.

I've never had any mishaps with the treadle feeders, and once they're spending more time with the older hens than in their pullet area, I remove the regular feeder - probably no later than 7-8 weeks. At that point, they all eat from the treadle feeders.

I'm glad that you noticed the issues and are willing to supervise now - good thing!

Both sets of chicks are being raised by the hen who hatched them. So they spend the day with her in the "nursery" with their bowl of food and waterer, and then when I'm home from work to supervise them outside, they can free range.

Actually, just about last weekend, Mama Brenda decided they were big enough to leave the run and range in the yard, and I have seen zero unsafe behaviors around the treadle feeders since, which is a big relief (they are still VERY supervised, but I can be more at ease when they are outside of the run). They will not have unsupervised access to the run/treadle feeder until they are a bit older. Right now they're about 3-4 weeks old.

Interestingly, the other mother, Strawberry, has never let her chicks get near the treadle feeder when I let them out in their run.

Fortunately, I only have two more weeks left in the school year (I'm a teacher) and will be home more to let them have more free time because I do feel a little guilty having them in the nursery spaces (one is about 3x2 and the other is 4 x 2). The last few days over the long weekend I've been able to have them outside with me for about 4-5 hours each day, which seems to have taken some of the edge off.

I really appreciate you sharing your experiences!