I have a soft-close mechanism that I used for a while on my first treadle feeder. It was quiet but that model’s early design made the closure not as firm as I wanted so I took it out. My second newer model feeder is said to be firmer with it on, but the sound has not been an issue and is a benefit because I can tell when the feed is low. Thats a fail-safe for me not forgetting to check it.
Maybe the silkies couldn’t reach the feed? That’s an issue, to get the distance correct for the size bird. And they have to be heavy enough. They are so tiny they might not be. Did your silkies have other options for feed, a big disincentive?
The most nervous hen here, Hazel, has gotten used to it and will go to it on her own, now. But as part of the first group of chickens introduced to it she was particularly skittish in training, and I could not ever get her to step on it by herself even after a week of training just her.
They all were afraid, but the other three Buckeyes learned within a few days. Hazel never went hungry though. She figured out a work-around, and from then on had absolutely no incentive to change: she just kept an eye out for when anyone else went to eat, and then would join them. As second in command she kept tabs on everyone anyway, and she did not have to deal with a more dominant hen not wanting her there. Peanut (#1) always let her eat next to her.
I think with the passing of Peanut and then Butters she decided to go by herself. That’s when I recall seeing her use it alone. She would also join Popcorn, and sometimes now she joins a Spud, and sometimes a Spud joins her. With the Spuds it never was an issue beyond initial scariness, because they grew up watching and hearing the older hens use it.
