Chicks wasting their food!!

[BenAnnaMama]

So as soon as I fill up their food jar and feeder it is gone again! They keep scratching it all out! There is food all over their pine shavings so I'm tempted to not fill up their feeder and force them to eat and peck off the floor. What do you guys think?

 

[Domestic_goddess]

I put a plate underneath my feeder, It helped alot and then they could peck at what they spilled!

 

[Blue_Myst]

I had the same problem, the chicks would dig all the feed out and sleep in their feeder

A plate is a good idea. You could even try raising your feeder off the ground a little bit so they can't stick their feet in it.

 

[FMAFarms]

Here are some tips that might help:

1. Elevate your feeder. Place a concrete brick (or two) under it so that the chicks can only reach the feeder with their heads

2. Change the type of feeder you have. Try one with dividers or portals instead of dish-style feeders

3. Don't fill the feeder up all the way. Just fill it halfway to avoid waste.

4. Don't top off what is left in the feeder at the end of the day. Tilt the feeder so the uneaten portion goes to one end, then add more to the bare part of the feeder. This also prevents unwanted growth and germs by keeping the old feed from being buried under fresh feed.

5. Add a second feeder. Your chicks might be overly excited at the prospect of food and might be messy that way. Adding a second feeder means less competition for the food and a better chance to eat at their leisure.

Good luck!

 

[lotzahenz]

I have had this problem. I agree with using a divided feeder, you may also place some stones in there to slow down the scratching. Also, put your feeder up high as possible.

HenZ

 

[axion_lotus]

I agree with FMA; couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[MustLoveHens]

FMA gave some great advice! The only thing I can add is incase you are feeding a crumble type chick starter. Some young chicks-day olds to about 7-8 days find it hard to eat crumbles. So they kick and peck and scratch to find the pieces little enough for them to eat. To avoid this, grind your crumbles in a coffee grinder or a blender. Make it a mash for them and they will be able to eat more instead of wasting it. I do this and when the chicks get about 8 to 10 days, switch them to the crumble to see if the can eat it. If not a grind a few more times and then try the crumbles again until they can eat them.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

I agree with everyone else and have one more recommendation: A baby cake. They're a forage cake that you hang in the brooder. It helps reduce the waste and gives them another 'toy' at the same time. A couple of hatcheries carry them, I think MPC and Randall Burkley. I think the forage cake place directly sells as well, but I'm not sure.

 

[RGWright]

Quote:
These are great suggestions. Another suggestion would be to move the feeder farther away from the light/heat source.

 

[BenAnnaMama]

Wow... thanks for the great ideas everybody!