Enough feeding stations?

[Mamatomany123]

I currently have 18 chickens ranging from 1 yr to 8 weeks. They are in a 50x20 run. I have 4 water and feeding station throughout the run. I went in today to refill the feeders and the bigger hens will not let the 8 week olds eat. The 8 week old will go to a feeder that no one is eating from then all.of the older ones want that feeder and peck.the babies way. Babies go.to a different feeder and again the bigger ones run to that feeder. Is 4 enough feeder? What can I do.to ensure the 8 week olds get food also? Theyve were brooded in the coop and were fully integrated since 3 weeks old so they aren't "new".

 

[kerbotx]

Can you make a small fenced-in area just for the chicks? I always have lots of 2x4 welded wire on hand, so I use that for when I have chicks - I use a piece about 2-3' tall, and wrap it around some weeds in the run. Then I cut out an entrance or 2 just big enough for the chicks. The trick is to find that Goldilocks zone, where the area is big enough to accommodate the chicks & a feeder, where the big birds can't just reach in, but small enough to make the adults think twice about jumping in! If that's not feasible, try something with levels, where they can hop up, or break the line of sight between feeders, so it's not as easy to see from one to the next.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Can you make a small fenced-in area just for the chicks? I always have lots of 2x4 welded wire on hand, so I use that for when I have chicks - I use a piece about 2-3' tall, and wrap it around some weeds in the run. Then I cut out an entrance or 2 just big enough for the chicks. The trick is to find that Goldilocks zone, where the area is big enough to accommodate the chicks & a feeder, where the big birds can't just reach in, but small enough to make the adults think twice about jumping in! If that's not feasible, try something with levels, where they can hop up, or break the line of sight between feeders, so it's not as easy to see from one to the next.

I have extra wire. In the beginning I had a setup that they could run into if needed and had their food in there. The problem now is anything bug enough for them to fit in is also big e nought for the 13 week olds to squeeze in. I'll go out there and see what I can set up. It's mainly my sexlinks who are bullying them. The others don't care. Never again will I get sexlinks.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Keep doing what you are doing. They'll work it out.

I've around 55 birds (including a baker's dozen ducks), and I make six piles piles, sometimes seven, in two different runs. Usually in corners, so the birds tend to face away from other piles. I don't know that it helps, but it doesn't seem to hurt.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Keep doing what you are doing. They'll work it out.

I've around 55 birds (including a baker's dozen ducks), and I make six piles piles, sometimes seven, in two different runs. Usually in corners, so the birds tend to face away from other piles. I don't know that it helps, but it doesn't seem to hurt.

I figured they'll figure it out. Just felt bad for the babies I did switch them to pellets today so I wonder if they were acting that way because it was "new" food. Probably.put them in a bad mood also because they hate pellets

 

[rosemarythyme]

try something with levels, where they can hop up, or break the line of sight between feeders, so it's not as easy to see from one to the next.

I find this works pretty well, as long as your older birds (or most of them) aren't the skinny, agile types. My older birds are simply too lazy to go UP to get a bite to eat, so the chicks can get a lot more time at a feeder before someone comes to chase them off.

Both a little bowl of food and water up top here:

 

[Mamatomany123]

I find this works pretty well, as long as your older birds (or most of them) aren't the skinny, agile types. My older birds are simply too lazy to both going UP to get a bite to eat, so the chicks can get a lot more time at a feeder before someone comes to chase them off.

Both a little bowl of food and water up top here:
View attachment 2683178

Ooh this is smart. The majority of my girls are fatties who I get told a lot would make a good dinner but the mean ones are the sexlinks who aren't nearly as big. I went put and saw them eating so I'm guessing they just eat after the heifers, ahem I mean hens,are done.