Cleaning the feeder?

[Freidabrest]

I have two of the anti-pest hanging feeders for my coop and I’ve noticed some mould on the inside of the feeders from the food of the food has gone gross and stuck together. I don’t know if the food goes mouldy from the feeder or vice versa. Is poultry shield safe to use in a feeder and should I consider getting different food? I’m only getting the one I use at the moment as it’s the only affordable stuff I can find since Countywide shut down.
At the moment I can by a 20kg bag of layer pellets for £7 if there’s any recommendations please let me know!

 

[kwhites634]

I have two of the anti-pest hanging feeders for my coop and I’ve noticed some mould on the inside of the feeders from the food of the food has gone gross and stuck together. I don’t know if the food goes mouldy from the feeder or vice versa. Is poultry shield safe to use in a feeder and should I consider getting different food? I’m only getting the one I use at the moment as it’s the only affordable stuff I can find since Countywide shut down.
At the moment I can by a 20kg bag of layer pellets for £7 if there’s any recommendations please let me know!

Keep less feed in the feeders at a time so it doesn't sit so long before it's consumed. Or you could move to a drier climate

 

[Jbum]

I use these and there seems to be no issues. Also if need be I can take right off the wall and run a hose through em. Very cheap and easy to make. And completely customizable

 

[Freidabrest]

Keep less feed in the feeders at a time so it doesn't sit so long before it's consumed. Or you could move to a drier climate

Ahh ok I might have to do that!

 

[Freidabrest]

I use these and there seems to be no issues. Also if need be I can take right off the wall and run a hose through em. Very cheap and easy to make. And completely customizable

View attachment 1736775 View attachment 1736776

Oh wow that looks brilliant!! May have to invent something of my own aha!

 

[kwhites634]

Oh wow that looks brilliant!! May have to invent something of my own aha!

I use a couple feeders very similar. I purposely didn't glue the joints so that they can be disassembled if necessary for cleaning. Of course, that allows moisture into the joints...they're both outside the coops. Each holds about 5 qt. & lasts 5 birds 3-4 days w/o mold becoming a problem.

 

[GC-Raptor]

It gets damp here in the spring, hot and humid in the summer.
As the weather warms, my chickens eat less, so I don't fill the feeders, only enough to last a couple of days.
I use galvanized hanging feeders in the coops and check daily. If feed is clumping, I would empty and clean immediately and refill with fresh feed.
During humid or damp seasons, I clean the feeders at least monthly, when feeders are nearly empty.
The feed I remove if clean, I store in a large coffee can and make a small amount of wet mash daily till gone. My hens love it. GC

 

[Freidabrest]

It gets damp here in the spring, hot and humid in the summer.
As the weather warms, my chickens eat less, so I don't fill the feeders, only enough to last a couple of days.
I use galvanized hanging feeders in the coops and check daily.View attachment 1736788 If feed is clumping, I would empty and clean immediately and refill with fresh feed.
During humid or damp seasons, I clean the feeders at least monthly, when feeders are nearly empty.
The feed I remove if clean, I store in a large coffee can and make a small amount of wet mash daily till gone. My hens love it. GC

What do you use to clean as I’m conscious of the fact some stuff can be poisonous

 

[GC-Raptor]

What do you use to clean as I’m conscious of the fact some stuff can be poisonous

I use dish soap and water and a new toilet brush to clean both feeders and waterer. That brush is used only to clean feeders and waterer . It has an appendage that is good to scrub the trough. Rinse thoroughly and dry the feeder thoroughly. I use paper towels. GC

 

[Freidabrest]

I use dish soap and water and a new toilet brush to clean both feeders and waterer. That brush is used only to clean feeders and watererView attachment 1737116. It has an appendage that is good to scrub the trough. Rinse thoroughly and dry the feeder thoroughly. I use paper towels. GC

Oh cool, thank you!