Help with grandpa feeder

[sharvc]

I've followed the instructions but left it on stage two longer than instructions mentioned due to having problems getting an opportunity to change it.

Now I've had it as it is supposed to work with the bolts removed and no chickens are stepping on it to eat. They seem humgry, refuse to get near it and have stopped laying. It has definitely stopped any rats, andy feed bill is definitely lower. Should I wait it out some more or give th food? It's been a week or more.

 

[User395221]

I don't have that brand, but I've recently got my girls a treadle feeder.
What is "stage 2"? Were the girls eating when it was on stage 2? Have you tried putting them on the treadle and showing them the food? Does it make a noise when it's used? Could that be scaring them off? Are you sure they aren't going near it when you aren't looking? Is the food level the same?

With my feeder, I just showed the girls that it had food in it and put some crumble on the lip of the feeder and their natural greed took care of the rest. They were a bit scared of it to start with, but soon got the idea. How have you tried to get your girls used to it?

 

[greggooo]

I just won one of these, excited to try it. But also afraid that a chicken will lean in from the side when another chicken is eating and get her head caught.

And stage 2 looks like it's a setting where the opening gets smaller and they should know that there's food in it. Training them to stand on the arm that opens it.

 

[greggooo]

I've followed the instructions but left it on stage two longer than instructions mentioned due to having problems getting an opportunity to change it.

Now I've had it as it is supposed to work with the bolts removed and no chickens are stepping on it to eat. They seem humgry, refuse to get near it and have stopped laying. It has definitely stopped any rats, andy feed bill is definitely lower. Should I wait it out some more or give th food? It's been a week or more.

Will be trying mine this weekend. I'll let you know how mine do. It mentions that it has to be on level ground to work. I'll have to work to make that happen.

 

[Texgal57]

I just won one of these, excited to try it. But also afraid that a chicken will lean in from the side when another chicken is eating and get her head caught.

And stage 2 looks like it's a setting where the opening gets smaller and they should know that there's food in it. Training them to stand on the arm that opens it.

I blocked off the sides so they couldn't reach in. The only problem I had was when one stepped on the treadle while one was feeding. No harm done as she didn't stay on the treadle long and it didn't go all the way down since the one feeding was still stepping on the bar.