Gummed Up Feeder

[Hickory_Hills]

I have three (maybe) week old ducklings. New one for me. They've gotten the bottom of the gravity feeder gummed up, so new feed doesn't come out. I've been grabbing things like a zip tie to get in there and break it up ( lol, it's what was at hand). But it's still pretty gummed up. Is there a way to clean that out, without losing all the food that's in it still?

 

[NatJ]

I have three (maybe) week old ducklings. New one for me. They've gotten the bottom of the gravity feeder gummed up, so new feed doesn't come out. I've been grabbing things like a zip tie to get in there and break it up ( lol, it's what was at hand). But it's still pretty gummed up. Is there a way to clean that out, without losing all the food that's in it still?

Dump all the feed out of the feeder into something else, so you can sort out the clog.

Then decide if the feed is fit to be put back in. If it seems dry and clean, you can put it back. If the feed is wet and sticky, it will just gum up again soon. You may be able to give sticky feed to the ducklings in a different style of feeder, if it has not started to spoil yet.

For where to dump the feed: a plastic storage bin, a clean trash can, a bit bowl, even a big plastic bag. Or you can dump the feed in a pile on a sheet or tarp or even an empty tabletop. Basically, you can use anything that will keep track of the feed without getting it wet or dirty.

Once you have it fixed, do keep an eye on the situation, in case it gums up again, so you can try to figure out what is causing this and stop it happening in future.

 

[Hickory_Hills]

Dump all the feed out of the feeder into something else, so you can sort out the clog.

Then decide if the feed is fit to be put back in. If it seems dry and clean, you can put it back. If the feed is wet and sticky, it will just gum up again soon. You may be able to give sticky feed to the ducklings in a different style of feeder, if it has not started to spoil yet.

For where to dump the feed: a plastic storage bin, a clean trash can, a bit bowl, even a big plastic bag. Or you can dump the feed in a pile on a sheet or tarp or even an empty tabletop. Basically, you can use anything that will keep track of the feed without getting it wet or dirty.

Once you have it fixed, do keep an eye on the situation, in case it gums up again, so you can try to figure out what is causing this and stop it happening in future.

Thank you! I have two older ducks, and they never did that. So this is new to me

 

[Huntmaster]

Thank you! I have two older ducks, and they never did that. So this is new to me

How close to the water is your feeder ducks love to bill water and feed. If it's to close, they may be tracking enough water back to feeder to wet feed. Ducks are very messy that way.

 

[Evadig]

This probably isn't helpful right now, but...

I've found that gravity feeders don't work with ducks. I use a shallow open dish when they're younger and the duck feeder from TSC when they're big enough to eat out of it .

 

[Hickory_Hills]

How close to the water is your feeder ducks love to bill water and feed. If it's to close, they may be tracking enough water back to feeder to wet feed. Ducks are very messy that way.

It was right next to it. So, you’re probably right.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Got some pictures of the feeder? Especially the throat of the feeder where the most restriction is located. Might measure the throat opening too.

Cooking spray, Pam is a U.S. brand. Or some sort of hard wax like car wax or floor wax. Give the empty feed hopper a good coating. Not the actual feed tray, if it is too slick the feed will pile up and get raked out.