DMOTS
In the Brooder
This is one method I use. 4” pvc reduced to 2” then add a long sweep with a 22.5 elbow slightly turned right or left. They can get there heads in to eat. They still peck some out but not much.
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It's kind of a cone bottom. Not a steep one but enough that it should fall. I really don't get it and up until reading this thread, I just assumed it was because I don't hang mine (I have it sitting on a few stacked bricks) but obviously people who hang the same one have the same problem. It's not a huge problem because I'm in there several times a day anyway so I just give it a shake when I notice but it definitely should fall down on its own.
Try waxing the inside of the feeder with car wax. slather it on, let it dry, rub it all off. Wax won't hurt the chickens, some pelleted feed has wax added so it flows through the pellet roller press easier.
And for the one person that asked, yeah, rats and mice can jump an amazing distance and will have no problem jumping up into the feeder.
That will work the first night. After that the rodents will just start eating more during the day.I am looking for a bucket that will fit over my bigger (30#) feeders.
My 7# feeder fits inside a 5 gallon bucket. At night I am dropping it and putting an upside down bucket on it.
That will work the first night. After that the rodents will just start eating more during the day.
Do this, empty your feeder and weigh the feed. The next day at the same time of day re weigh the feed. If you are feeding more than 1/4 pound per day per hen (ignore the roosters) you are feeding rodents or wild birds. Now figure out the savings each day and see how long till you pay for a good feeder. Plus a healthier flock with fewer lice infestations from the vermin bringing it and disease into the coop.
You took it as "harsh" because my opinion is different than your opinion. BTW not every answer is directed at you personally, it is likely directed at people that might read advice and think it is good advice and not think that rodents do eat during the day in a protected coop.You come across as rather harsh there. Not 100% sure your reply was directed at me or not either. I never said I was not willing to buy quality feeders.
Any mouse willing to stick it's neck out during the day here is highly likely to get eaten by my tiny dinosaurs.
Between the chickens, my traps, and the neighborhood cats mice are kept in check.
Feeders being inside my coops accessible only through the roofed runs wild birds have not been an issue.
That will work the first night. After that the rodents will just start eating more during the day.
Do this, empty your feeder and weigh the feed. The next day at the same time of day re weigh the feed. If you are feeding more than 1/4 pound per day per hen (ignore the roosters) you are feeding rodents or wild birds. Now figure out the savings each day and see how long till you pay for a good feeder. Plus a healthier flock with fewer lice infestations from the vermin bringing it and disease into the coop.