Feeding dilemma - NEED INPUT!

[U_Stormcrow]

I actually like this idea but with only 4 feeding spots, I'd need 10 tables. That's a lot of wood....

I was thinking an octagon about 12' in diameter with 8 feed locations, each about 2' in from the edge. and yes, its a LOT of wood. Basically twenty five 5/4 x 6 x 12 PT deck boards (that's $500), seven 2 x 6 x 12s (that's another $150) placed 2' OC), some number of 4x4s cut to provide legs (another $150?) depending upon how deep they need to be set in the soil, and then about $200 in galvanized venting for the feeders themselves... and probably $40 in screws.

I didn't give it much thought. Honest!

 

[TJAnonymous]

I was thinking an octagon about 12' in diameter with 8 feed locations, each about 2' in from the edge. and yes, its a LOT of wood. Basically twenty five 5/4 x 6 x 12 PT deck boards (that's $500), seven 2 x 6 x 12s (that's another $150) placed 2' OC), some number of 4x4s cut to provide legs (another $150?) depending upon how deep they need to be set in the soil, and then about $200 in galvanized venting for the feeders themselves... and probably $40 in screws.

I didn't give it much thought. Honest!

I'm thinking of a 2ft x 2 ft "table " that I can open like a lid. Feeding bowl goes inside. The sides can be slated so chickens can easily get in and out but goats can't?

Would still take a lot of wood... I might be able to do it with free pallets but those are getting harder to find now too

 

[Percheron chick]

Simple fix. Take a cattle panel and bend it to fit in a corner. Wire to the existing fence. My largest DP hen can squeeze through the squares. Only con is you getting in there to retrieve feed pans. Better solution is to take 2 livestock panels (bonus one with a gate), line them with a cattle panel (bolt cutters easily cut panel) and place in corner. You will end up with a 10x10 goat free area just for the chickens.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

My goats jump those panels, but I suppose if the landing area is small enough they might be deterred

 

[TJAnonymous]

Simple fix. Take a cattle panel and bend it to fit in a corner. Wire to the existing fence. My largest DP hen can squeeze through the squares. Only con is you getting in there to retrieve feed pans. Better solution is to take 2 livestock panels (bonus one with a gate), line them with a cattle panel (bolt cutters easily cut panel) and place in corner. You will end up with a 10x10 goat free area just for the chickens.

YES! This is a great idea! I have extra livestock panels that I can do this rather easily.... The chickens can get under them but the goats can't. Oh thank you so much! I will try to set this up this weekend and post some pictures. I will need to pick up some extra feed bowls too.

I'm excited to try this out!

 

[TJAnonymous]

This isn't the greatest picture but it partially shows some of the extra livestock panels. They are pretty heavy. Are these what you were suggesting? Or cow panels? My fat chickens can't get through a cow panel square....

 

[U_Stormcrow]

OH> Yeah. I was thinking of the 4' x 16' 8 guage welded panels. Those are MUCH heavier. Sorry, bad imagining on my part.

 

[Percheron chick]

No. I was talking about both types of fencing.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Chicken feed CAN cause bloat in goats, so best to do what you can to minimize access.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Chicken feed CAN cause bloat in goats, so best to do what you can to minimize access.

YES. YES it can.

Also, goats seem to prefer good quality (high protein) chicken feed to 16% protein goat pellets, even goat pellets with molasses as a sweet feed.

Grrrrrrr....

OTOH, Goat is pretty tasty - so when they frustrate you enough, you can invite them to freezer camp next to your chickens...