Fussy chook introducing pests

[henny81]

We are reasonbly new to backyard chooks. We bought special feeders for the coup to ensure we could keep the pests away. They worked excellent initially but one of our girls has decided she only likes the black seeds in the layer mash and has worked out how to pull all the food out of the feeder to pick out her favourite seeds. This not only causes loads of wastage but we now have a pest problem which is what we were trying to avoid. We even got an additional attachment over the feeder to try and stop her pulling the food out but she still manages to spill it everywhere. Any ideas? Changing feed perhaps? We will try anything.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We are reasonbly new to backyard chooks. We bought special feeders for the coup to ensure we could keep the pests away. They worked excellent initially but one of our girls has decided she only likes the black seeds in the layer mash and has worked out how to pull all the food out of the feeder to pick out her favourite seeds. This not only causes loads of wastage but we now have a pest problem which is what we were trying to avoid. We even got an additional attachment over the feeder to try and stop her pulling the food out but she still manages to spill it everywhere. Any ideas? Changing feed perhaps? We will try anything.

Hi

Welcome To BYC

What type of feeder are you using - any photos?
Are the black seeds something that you add to the layer mash?

You may want to look at some DIY "no spill/no waste" feed containers.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/822112/lets-see-your-diy-no-spill-feeders-and-creative-waterers
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...te-5-gallon-25-feed-bucket-feeder-for-about-3

 

[henny81]

Here is the link to the feeders we have which are similar to your pics. We got them specifically for the no spill option www.dineachook.com.au/products/DINE%252da%252dCHOOK-3.5L-Chicken-Feeder.html

The black seeds are already in the layer mash so not added. Not sure what else to do.

 

[CLutze27]

You could always switch to a crumble or a pellet as opposed to the mash. I know when I used mash for a short period they seemed to waste more for sure as opposed to the crumble.