Dog Eating from Chicken Feeder

[KCAmelia]

Hello! Does anyone have ideas about how to keep my dog from eating herself plump from my chicken feeder? The chickens free range in our backyard, and she is very well-behaved when loose with them, however she helps herself to their feed whenever she wants! I need to regulate her diet a bit more, and of course I'm a little concerned that it isn't a good formulation for her and might make her sick long-term (though she loves it!). I just have one of those galvanized, round feeders from tractor supply, and I feed layer crumble. Maybe pellets would deter her? Of course, that would be an adjustment for the chickens, and I really don't want to feed pellets since I don't need them getting bored and getting into trouble. I am totally open to a DIY feeder too, but most have been created to reduce waste or keep out smaller birds, not medium-sized red heelers. Thanks for any input!

 

[BantyChooks]

Is there anyway you could make a modified creep feeder, like people make for livestock so the mothers don't eat the feed?
Sort of like a wire cage with a low opening your chickens could get through, but not your dog. Good luck.....
-Banti

Edited for clarity

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Good morning.

I also have a red healer, great dog! However it's my lab mix that likes to eat chicken feed. I remedy it by leaving the feed in the tractor with a door small enough the chickens can get through but not the dog.

I'm not sure if pellets would be a deterrent since they probably taste just as good and the dry dog food I use is just as big and crunchy. I am not sure how crumbles would prevent boredom over pellets. I switched to pellets and ended up saving money because there was less waste. It was an adjustment for the chickens but they seem fine. Now I do fermented feed.

Keep in mind, what works for one person may not work for another. But it's great to get other perspectives and consider them.

I think you are right to be concerned about long term issues for your fur-baby since nutritional needs are different for different species, though I have no evidence.

Some of the DIY feeders I have seen to reduce waste will let the birds head in but not the dogs. How many chickens are you feeding?

Best wishes.