Flock won't eat from hanging feeder.

dwdoc

Songster
9 Years
Dec 13, 2010
172
6
104
Seffner, Florida
I recently elevated my feeder about 4 to 6 inches off the ground; now my birds won't eat from their feeder. Its the same feeder I've been using for months now its just elevated. It has been three days and they won't eat. I want the feeder elevated because while its on the ground they scratch and kick dirt into their food.

Has anyone experienced this and how did they resolve the issue. My first thought was they'll eat once they get hungry enough to overcome their fear of the raised feeder...but this is day three and I am getting a little concerned.

My birds are four 19 week old Australorps.
 
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i have always just thrown food on the ground. i would give them small amounts at once to ensure they eat instead of kicking dirt on it.
 
Try an intermediate step like putting it on 2x4s. Something in their little chicken minds doesn't like the fact the it suddenly got up and can now move when they peck for food.
 
Ah, the mystery of chicken thinking.

You can try lowering it for now. Once they're eating out of it, start raising it more gradually to the height you want it at. I keep it at or below the height of the shortest chicken's back.

It's also possible that it's swinging, which might make them skittish. Big heavy feeders for large flocks are pretty stable. Small, plastic feeders are lighter, hold less weight in feed and may sway when bumped into. If that's the problem, you can put something under the feeder for it to rest on, to steady it.

Chickens are not a fan of "different."
 

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