Do I need an additional feeder?

[EggyErin]

I have 11 chickens who eat out of one large hanging feeder. The mostly eat in the a.m. before I let them out, then again in the early evening before turning in. In the morning, some are at the feeder, the others are still on the roost. Then the next shift comes in. Sometimes a royal matron or two will chase the others off, so there's lots of in-and-out, trying to get to the feeder. Should I add another? Or do a long-run PVC pipe feeder?

 

[gritsar]

I've always believed it's best to have two feeders, even with a small flock. Some bullies can keep lower ranking birds from getting enough to eat.

 

[wyododge]

We have 26 on one feeder, they figure it out eventually. The ones who don't get to eat first, get the worm first.

I have a suspicion that the dominant birds will just defend both feeders though.

 

[gritsar]

I had a hen that almost starved to death as a young pullet because she was half blind and wasn't being given enough time to eat at the feeder before the bullies ran her off. Two feeders solved that problem. Bullies can't be everywhere at once.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
I agree with gritsar.

I have several feeders in the chicken yard. Apollo 13 (my geese) are the bullies, so they have their own 5 foot long feeder and the other 300 animals can go to any other feeder in the chicken yard. This prevents anyone from starving.

I have different groups that eat at different shifts/times and the ducks don't eat until late evening and at night. I notice that the lower ranked chickens congregate to this one special 5 foot long feeder and they all eat from this feeder with no problems. As gritsar pointed out, the bullies are at the bully feeder, so this allows the others to eat in peace and harmony.