Feeding a mixed flock and keeping the goats out!

[nursebecky99]

I have a mixed flock of 13 adults and 16 chicks from ages 2wks to 2 months. Trying to keep chick feed for the chicks and layer for the adults is proving to be difficult. On top of that, my goats have decided that chicken feed is better than crack. And will stop at nothing to get into it.
Does anyone have any ideas?
My two 5mo old kids are actually same size as my rooster. They are squeezing into the coop to get the feed.

 

[SueT]

I don't know what to do about goats, but you can feed everyone an all flock type feed. Mine like Purina flock raiser.....

 

[BirdGirl2004]

I would keep the chicks in a separate pen until they are about 18 weeks. Something that looks like this:

This way they can eat there own feed, separate from the older hens (and goats)
For the older hens, I would put there feed in something like this:

This way the goats can't get into it!

Hope this helps!

 

[nursebecky99]

Oh that feeder is interesting, how big are the openings? And where did you get it?

 

[nursebecky99]

I don't know what to do about goats, but you can feed everyone an all flock type feed. Mine like Purina flock raiser.....

I didn’t realize there was an “all flock” feed. What age can they safely eat layer feed?

 

[BirdGirl2004]

Oh that feeder is interesting, how big are the openings? And where did you get it?

Got it from online, but here are the instructions on how to make it!

http://blog.mypetchicken.com/2015/10/05/diy-no-waste-feeder/

 

[BirdGirl2004]

Oh that feeder is interesting, how big are the openings? And where did you get it?

Got it from online, but here are the instructions on how to make it!

http://blog.mypetchicken.com/2015/10/05/diy-no-waste-feeder/

 

[SueT]

I didn’t realize there was an “all flock” feed. What age can they safely eat layer feed?

Only laying hens/pullets can safely eat layer feed. If you have roosters, chicks, or youngsters not yet laying, the all flock can feed everyone. You offer oyster shell free choice on the side, for the layers, and only those that need it will eat it. Many BYC members go this simplified route. Another advantage to consolidating what you feed is that these feeds are all perishable. Unless you have a LOT of chickens, the feed can go bad before you use it up.

 

[PetesChicks]

I’ve don’t have goats (yet ), but I have heard that chicken feed is very bad for them. I believe it bloats their stomach, but I might be mistaken there. Anything you can do to keep them from the chickens food would be good.

I saw on one thread, someone kept the chicken feed in the coop, and built a box attached to the pop door that the goats couldn’t fit through. It came out from the coop, but then turned too tight for the goats to make the turn.

 

[nursebecky99]

Yes the chicken feed is potentially very bad, any grain based feed in excess could bloat them.
I found a feeder on Craigslist that uses 3” elbows for the feeder and the goats won’t be able to get their heads all the way in.