Cockerel is not eating enough

[NatJ]

I suspect that is the case as well. I have not seen him drink in a while, but I offered him water (from a bucket) and he didn't want it.

You could offer a dish of wet mash (chicken feed + water). I think chickens find that easier to swallow than dry crumbles (you mentioned issues with that in the first post). Also, chickens tend to think it is a treat, so it might encourage him to eat a little more.

 

[StinkyAcres]

You could offer a dish of wet mash (chicken feed + water). I think chickens find that easier to swallow than dry crumbles (you mentioned issues with that in the first post). Also, chickens tend to think it is a treat, so it might encourage him to eat a little more.

Okay, I will try that. Thanks! How much should I offer at once?

 

[Nonafel]

For reference I use this metal feeder, my rooster can access it but if the red feeder guard was removed he can get at it no problem... but then everyone makes a huge mess. Hope that helps.

There's a way to adjust the height of the internal cone, but my roosters comb gets in the way regardless. Can your feeder do something similar?

 

[NatJ]

Okay, I will try that. Thanks! How much should I offer at once?

I would probably start with a relatively small amount (maybe 1/4 cup of chicken feed plus enough water to make it wet-- might be 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup water).

If the rooster does not eat the wet feed in a few hours, offer it to the hens. They'll probably clean it up.

If he likes it, I would say whatever amount he seems to want. Let it run out every day or so, or give it to the hens to empty before you refill the dish, so it doesn't sit around long enough to grow mold.

 

[StinkyAcres]

For reference I use this metal feeder, my rooster can access it but if the red feeder guard was removed he can get at it no problem... but then everyone makes a huge mess. Hope that helps.

There's a way to adjust the height of the internal cone, but my roosters comb gets in the way regardless. Can your feeder do something similar?

I'm not sure (I got my feeder secondhand), but I will try to remove the guard tonight. Thanks!

 

[StinkyAcres]

I would probably start with a relatively small amount (maybe 1/4 cup of chicken feed plus enough water to make it wet-- might be 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup water).

If the rooster does not eat the wet feed in a few hours, offer it to the hens. They'll probably clean it up.

If he likes it, I would say whatever amount he seems to want. Let it run out every day or so, or give it to the hens to empty before you refill the dish, so it doesn't sit around long enough to grow mold.

Thank you!

 

[tlcmurphy]

Can you get a gravity feeder without the round holes for him? My chickens ate the label off ours but I think it’s Harris?

 

[StinkyAcres]

Can you get a gravity feeder without the round holes for him? My chickens ate the label off ours but I think it’s Harris?

I have a couple of these (one is in my second chicken coop). I'd imagine the hopper would still get in the way of his comb though. It's also pretty shallow so his wattles might get in the way too.

 

[tlcmurphy]

I have a couple of these (one is in my second chicken coop). I'd imagine the hopper would still get in the way of his comb though. It's also pretty shallow so his wattles might get in the way too.

As @Nonafel mentioned, the white guards are likely removable. I think it’s just painful for him to stick his wattles in there.

Meanwhile I have a jerk hen that beaks food everywhere but my feeders didn’t come with the guards,

 

[StinkyAcres]

As @Nonafel mentioned, the white guards are likely removable. I think it’s just painful for him to stick his wattles in there.

Not on the Flock Party feeder - they're a part of the hopper.