Feeder question

[nolotus]

So, I ordered this feeder. I noticed in the description that it is for poultry 12 weeks or older only.
Why would that be? I feel a little stupid, but I don't understand why they couldn't use it as soon as they're tall enough to get their little heads in there?

 

[Percheron chick]

They are small enough to squeeze in the hole. More of a CYA statement.

 

[NatJ]

So, I ordered this feeder. I noticed in the description that it is for poultry 12 weeks or older only.
Why would that be? I feel a little stupid, but I don't understand why they couldn't use it as soon as they're tall enough to get their little heads in there?

It's probably meant as an estimate of chicken size, because that feeder really is not suitable for tiny chicks. Even if you gave them a stepstool, they would either have necks too short to reach, or they would climb inside and might not be able to get out.

Of course, given how many sizes chickens come in, age is not all that useful--but it might be accurate enough for the most common breeds used as backyard egg layers.

 

[nolotus]

They are small enough to squeeze in the hole. More of a CYA statement.

Thank you! - that makes sense. Especially the CYA part.

 

[nolotus]

It's probably meant as an estimate of chicken size, because that feeder really is not suitable for tiny chicks. Even if you gave them a stepstool, they would either have necks too short to reach, or they would climb inside and might not be able to get out.

Of course, given how many sizes chickens come in, age is not all that useful--but it might be accurate enough for the most common breeds used as backyard egg layers.

Thanks for your response. That makes sense. And I'll use what common sense I have left in using it.

 

[Al Gerhart]

They will smother themselves when, not if, they get trapped inside the pvc elbows.

Chicks and poults just need to be kept in a rat proof and wild bird proof brooder pen till they are a pound or two then they can handle eating out of a treadle feeder, from the side of course, any feeder they could operate wouldn't stop mice or wild birds. But they grow quickly.

 

[gtaus]

but I don't understand why they couldn't use it as soon as they're tall enough to get their little heads in there?

Like others have mentioned, it might be possible for a small chick to get both its little head, and little body through that PVC pipe/elbow and get stuck. At 12 weeks, the chickens is mostly full grown and its little head will fit into the PVC just fine, but the larger body will prevent it from getting stuck in the pipe.

I built one of these type of hanging feeders with a 5 gallon pail and PVC elbows. I really like this type of feeder and it seems to save me lots of spilled feed on the ground. Much less waste than other feeders I have used in the past. Looks like your feeder is designed to sit on the ground, but essentially is the same idea.

If you have just bought some small chicks, I can tell you that 12 weeks will go by fast. I would not use that feeder until the chicks are more grown. Until then, stick with small tough feeders or pan feeders for safety. When they spill feed, I just gather it up and put it back into a pan.

 

[ZANEYchickenguy]

I have the same feeder and one of my 8-week pullets almost died being stuck in there. Trust me...THE WAIT IS WORTH IT.

 

[gtaus]

I have the same feeder and one of my 8-week pullets almost died being stuck in there. Trust me...THE WAIT IS WORTH IT.

Which is most probably why the company warns people not to use that feeder until the chicks are 12 weeks old. Glad you were able to save your pullet. It looks like a good feeder for full grown chickens, but I would not trust it with young chicks.