Chicks wasting more than they eat!

[c2chicks]

I mix a little water with the chick crumbles and turn it into a paste..

 

[natemoore1986]

Okay, from what I gather from your replies, it’s perfectly fine to switch them over at 5 weeks. That solves the problem.

 

[natemoore1986]

I was being facetious, btw, for those of you who don’t get emojis.

 

[JewelBirds]

Have you ever seen or heard of a PVC pipe feeder for chickens? It discourages scratching and encourages just eating from the pipe opening. A quick search with the words "PVC feeder for chickens" should give you some ideas if you're open to trying that. I have not done it myself yet, but it is definitely the plan for the new coop that is currently a work in progress. I would just make sure the pipe isn't too large of a diameter that they could fit inside the opening, but maybe large enough that it could still be used for when they are adults as well

 

[CluckerFamily]

Have you ever seen or heard of a PVC pipe feeder for chickens? It discourages scratching and encourages just eating from the pipe opening. A quick search with the words "PVC feeder for chickens" should give you some ideas if you're open to trying that. I have not done it myself yet, but it is definitely the plan for the new coop that is currently a work in progress. I would just make sure the pipe isn't too large of a diameter that they could fit inside the opening, but maybe large enough that it could still be used for when they are adults as well

I use a 3" PVC pipe with a cap and it actually goes into a tray. The PVC pipe feeders is a great idea and does reduce spills.

 

[Floof]

Have you ever seen or heard of a PVC pipe feeder for chickens? It discourages scratching and encourages just eating from the pipe opening. A quick search with the words "PVC feeder for chickens" should give you some ideas if you're open to trying that. I have not done it myself yet, but it is definitely the plan for the new coop that is currently a work in progress. I would just make sure the pipe isn't too large of a diameter that they could fit inside the opening, but maybe large enough that it could still be used for when they are adults as well

Oh I actually tried that once! It worked for some of my birds but I had 2 really stubborn Easter eggers who would shovel it out with their beaks and dump it on the floor! So frustrating!