Hanging Feeder Humidity, HELP!

[Altairsky]

That's why I hate crumbles. Had the same issue, and they even went moldy in the feeder. Try to switch to pellets, and if it doesn't work, try whole grain feed. It should solve the problem.

 

[thecatumbrella]

That's why I hate crumbles. Had the same issue, and they even went moldy in the feeder. Try to switch to pellets, and if it doesn't work, try whole grain feed. It should solve the problem.

I was wondering about that. I use pellets as "treats" right now, so it would be a little unfortunate to lose that novelty. I'm guessing the pellets would eventually suffer the same fate, but it would take longer?

 

[Al Gerhart]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but with that logic would it make more sense to keep it in the sun? It's shaded 100% of the day.

Maybe, the sun would bake out any moisture in the feed though so there would need to be some ventilation for the moisture to escape as the heat would be high at times and none at times. A light bulb would be consistent, once the feed was dried out and warm the water in the air would condense elsewhere.

 

[WingItRanch]

I had this issue with chick crumble but no issues with pellets and I live in a very high humidity location. Try pellets and see if that helps?

 

[Altairsky]

I was wondering about that. I use pellets as "treats" right now, so it would be a little unfortunate to lose that novelty. I'm guessing the pellets would eventually suffer the same fate, but it would take longer?

Depends on how humid it is in your area. You'll have to try and see.
I quickly switched to whole grain after a week on pellets so I don't know if pellets last long term.
As for putting the feeder in the sun, remember that many vitamins and omega 3 are killed by intense heat and/or sunlight. So it might not be nutritionally ideal.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Depends on how humid it is in your area. You'll have to try and see.
I quickly switched to whole grain after a week on pellets so I don't know if pellets last long term.
As for putting the feeder in the sun, remember that many vitamins and omega 3 are killed by intense heat and/or sunlight. So it might not be nutritionally ideal.

That is a great point! People want me to flank kitchen stoves with spice racks and I say, not so fast....

 

[thecatumbrella]

I have a whole grain type feed in a hanging feeder (backup to their mash), and I haven't had this problem.

try whole grain feed.

Wanted to follow up. Got some whole grain feed (Scratch & Peck Grower) and not only does it hold up well in the heat, it is PERFECT for Omlet's poppy peck toys. Takes the girls about two days to empty it out and keeps them very busy. So THANK YOU SO MUCH for the whole grain feed recommendation!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Wanted to follow up. Got some whole grain feed (Scratch & Peck Grower) and not only does it hold up well in the heat, it is PERFECT for Omlet's poppy peck toys. Takes the girls about two days to empty it out and keeps them very busy. So THANK YOU SO MUCH for the whole grain feed recommendation!

Glad it worked!

 

[Al Gerhart]

Wanted to follow up. Got some whole grain feed (Scratch & Peck Grower) and not only does it hold up well in the heat, it is PERFECT for Omlet's poppy peck toys. Takes the girls about two days to empty it out and keeps them very busy. So THANK YOU SO MUCH for the whole grain feed recommendation!

You are now feeding a non balanced diet. Not good. Someone correct me if I am wrong but I cannot see a feed mill getting a balanced feed through a whole grain mix. Are they coating the grain with the admixtures/minerals/vitamins?

 

[thecatumbrella]

You are now feeding a non balanced diet. Not good. Someone correct me if I am wrong but I cannot see a feed mill getting a balanced feed through a whole grain mix. Are they coating the grain with the admixtures/minerals/vitamins?

This was absolutely a concern of mine.

Their primary food is still crumble (the humidity's gone, so I'm leaving that feeder in for now) and foraged pellets. The particular whole grain mix I got has tiny little vitamin/mineral pellets. In a regular feeder, the birds would eat around this and pick their favorite pieces.

But my poppy peck toys are suspended over stepping stones. Each piece that falls is considered high value, and the birds scramble to chomp it down. Vitamin/mineral pellets included. The stone also lets me monitor and see if they do start to ignore the premix pellets (in which case, I would discontinue this style of feed.)

I appreciate you bringing attention to this though! I don't always consider that someone might emulate what I'm doing without understanding the risks.

Edit: Wanted to add one more thing. I fill the two toys about 2/3 full, and that's what they get. My goal is to have them available maybe 50% of the time and not be fully reliant on this particular food method. Pellets scattered on the ground is still by far their favorite way to eat.