Granda's Feeder and Raccons

[tacosta1009]

Good morning, Chicken People!

Has anyone figured out how to keep raccoons out of their treadle feeder? I am happy to pay for good feed for my chickens, but I am not happy about it being hijacked. Any suggestions?!

 

[50-45-1]

Put feed inside at night so it cant be accessed by racoons, would be my suggestion.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Treadle feeders work because of the difference between the weight and reach of a rodent and that of a chicken. Coons are going to out weigh and out reach all chickens and most turkeys. But the coon would much rather have chicken dinner so losing feed is the least of your worries. They can rip through chicken wire like it was paper, very strong animals, and they can figure out latches to let themselves in a coop. Slide bolts and even snap swivels won't stop coons, put a lock on the hasp.

 

[tacosta1009]

The chickens are very secure, thankfully! All I use is hardwire cloth, but adding a lock is a great idea! Thank you!