Couple questions on feeding chickens

[SusanD]

Hi,

Ever since we moved our chickens feeder to keep it out of the way of the mister, I noticed that they have been spilling a lot of the food on the ground. I want to get them out of this habit, as I worry that the spilled food might spoil (especially when it rains) or attract predators or both. We have the food in an ordinary three pound top loading feeder and have it sitting on a cement block. I was wondering if anyone might have a suggestion for an alternate feeder that might work better. If not, should I be fixing any spills as part of my night routine, or is it ok to let the chickens eat the spilled feed?

I saw some guidelines on what constitutes a good avian body profile on this site and was wondering if someone could point me to the post. I picked up one of my chickens today, and was surprised to find out that she was thinner than I thought she was (I could feel her breastbone easily, although it wasn't supper prominent).

Thanks,

Susan

 

[Double Laced]

Hi, there.

What are your chickens, hybrids have very little flesh on their bones, as do some rare breeds. If you are worried check their crops when the roost, if they are full and the birds are laying fine then i wouldn't worry.

Chickens are happy to eat from most places and in the wild they would eat of the ground. Spilled food can attract rats and mice as well as crows and other vermin, and spoil as you point out so keeping it safe in feeders is more for the benefit of the keepers from that point of view.

You could try raising up the feeder slightly ( you may need to experiment with the hight) so as they have to reach up for it and can't root through the food spilling it.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I don't really like "chicken feeders" because they tip and spill. I use a variety of containers, most of them meant for other animals. I've had good luck with an extra-large metal dog bowl- it's heavy and they can't tip it over. It is on the ground, though, so I only feed them twice a day (if I left food out all day rodents would come).

 

[pdirt]

I highly recommend a treadle feeder like this one. It opens when the chickens step up on the plate and closes when they step off. It keeps out wild birds and rodents, though a very large rodent like a muskrat could learn to use it. As for spilling feed, I made this thin wooden insert with large holes drilled in it. It stopped them from billing feed out with their beaks...we have zero feed spillage now.




I also often feed them one meal a day (additional feed is available in the above pictured feeder) in this trough feeder...I only feed enough that they eat up in about 15 minutes...no waste/spillage:



It's best if you don't let spilled feed pile up on the ground. Besides the waste, it can spoil or attract critters like mentioned by others.

You can also do like @HeritageGoose13 and feed once or twice a day. But you need to be home every day (or have someone do it for you) for that method to work. If you try this way, feed them enough that there is some feed leftover after about 30 minutes. Measure your feed so you know much to give them, then you will know how much to feed them. When winter comes, you will need to feed them more because they need more food to generate body heat in winter (assuming it's cold where you are).

 

[mechanic57]

Here is a thread that has some cheap and efficient solutions on providing all-day access to feed in a way that the waste is eliminated.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...te-5-gallon-25-feed-bucket-feeder-for-about-3

 

[SusanD]

Thanks for your replies. I will try expermenting with different containers and also cleaning up any major spills. DoubleLaced, I have a RIR, and Langshan, and a Wellsummer.