Does anyone use rodent resistent feeders?

[joan1708]

I want to know if anyone uses them, how long have they used them, if they like them and are the feeders worth 150 to 195 bucks!

 

[clucksbc]

the kept in touch with a family who I got chickens from
she got one....after shipping costs was 300 sent me pictures...
it looked huge...but when I did at one point see it in person..it was only about a foot wide...
took a bit of time for them to get used to...
but cool they just step up and it opens...

 

[muckmuck]

I have one of those made by Al on this forum. I think he advertises here but this is his website: [URL]http://www.thecarpentershop.net/mediumplywoodchickenfeeder.htmlMy girls figured it out pretty quick and it is sure a lot less than $300

Max

 

[galanie]

I use one that I made from things I already had around by following the plans here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=56638-building-a-treadle-feeder

Works great and in my case, didn't cost me a penny.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
Very impressive. Good work. Thanks for taking the time to share the plans, videos and photos.

 

[audioguy]

Very nice build!!

I think we are getting mice into the feeder, even though its hanging about 10 inches off the ground, under the floor of the coop. The coop floor sits about 18 inches off the ground. I think we are getting the mice at night.
I have tried to use traps for the mice and have caught a few "big ones", but also had the bait removed from the trap without it tripping. Come to find out that ants have eaten the peanut butter used to attract the mice.
I think I need bigger traps or somehow attract them into a humane cage!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I originally built my treadle feeder to keep wild birds from eating the chicken feed, but I quickly realized that I was also losing a lot of feed to mice. I trapped a LOT of mice in the weeks before and shortly after deploying the treadle feeder. It's been more than a year since the feeder has been in place and I still trap a mouse now and then, but no where near the initial numbers. The feeder is limited in that it is made from wood and I suppose that eventually rodents could chew through it. The upside is it is very inexpensive to make. I calculated that it would cost about $36 to make it if you had to buy all the components. I made mine largely from things I had laying around so it was significantly cheaper. So, if they eventually chew holes in it, I'll just patch them or make a new feeder. BTW, the chickens learned to use it right away and don't seem to mind it at all. And no, they've never bonked their heads.

 

[joan1708]

Thanks for the posts! I'm going to get the one from Al. I'm grateful it has a reasonable price.

 

[galanie]

Quote:
Mine don't bonk their heads either. Probably because they can feel that it's about to come down and move really quick lol. I keep mine outside the coop and if I forget to put a brick on it at night, possums get into it and leave clumpy bits of slobber all in it

So there's another critter that could be eating all your chicken food money. I know for sure they keep squirrels and rats and birds out though cause I've seen them try it.

 

[kcwazzu]

darn, I guess I need to get around to taking and posting pictures of the one I built. I Had a rodent problem in the run so I built one using 3" pvc pipe and fittings with a golf ball and u-bolts. The chickens peck on the ball and food comes out. No waste left on the ground for the rodents.

Keith