Dog feed dispensers for chickens

[sab]

Anyone do this? We have to leave for a week and want to triple up my feed inside the coop. We have someone coming everyday to gather eggs and check on things but I want to be sure we have plenty of feed out. Was thinking those would work ...

 

[member 373180]

I use one for my ducks and it works really well. Knowing my chickens, I think they would bill all the food out onto the ground from an open bowl like that. If you can put it somewhere dry on a solid surface where the food won't get buried, I'm sure they'd be fine eating it off the ground for a week.

 

[Criticalicious]

Why not a simple PVC feeder? I used 3" PVC pipe and a Y-connector. It holds almost a week of feed. I close it up at night to reduce the chance of attracting rodents. It cost roughly the same or less than a dog food dispenser. The extended opening that holds the cap also cuts down on billing out the feed.

 

[blackdog043]

I would try it before you leave, to see how it goes. They may bill it out. I would be just as or more concerned about their waterer. I've read to many stories about people who come back to their chickens without water and or feed, when someone was supposed to be looking after them.
I use DIY no waste feeders and horizontal nipple waterers for my 19 chickens, I go away for 8 days without anyone looking after them.

 

[sab]

So my 21 girls are in good shape for the time I’m gone. — enough water and feed for 2 weeks. They have 2 ten pound chicken feeders, 1 that’s really really large (don’t know the size), and a large dog food dispenser. All inside a coop with a limoleum floor. It will be interesting to see how the dog feeder works for them. And I have cameras on them so I see them anytime. I’ll be gone 5 days. Looks like I won’t have to feed them next week either!! In this heat, they aren’t eating so much. Thank you all for your thoughts!! I’ll let you know how the dog feeder worked out next week. Even if they beak it out the floor is dry and they will find it. I’m comfortable leaving now.... yah!

 

[sab]

Actually using the dog feeder really worked well!! Has deep dish so little crap was scratched into it. Feed constantly present. I’ll definitely use it again and again....