Oh the problem one is just a rubber tub - it will be removed and probably replaced by something else eventually once I see Ziggy eating more readily from a newer feeder I made, but he's still being a bit weird about it. He was used to that bowl during his time in quarantine so I just stuck with it for integration purposes. The hens have surfaced a couple nasty feed and muck patties already so they are burying some of the spills they make rather than eating it, but it's been really hard for me to tell when/where they've done that vs. eaten it. As soon as things are peaceful and well-integrated with everyone eating nicely from more spill-proof feeders, I'm just going to rake the area out to be sure there are no surprises lurking in there and then there will be no more spill-bowl.What does your feeder look like?
A traditional metal hanging feeder with the deep pan and inward-rolled lip minimized spillage.
When I find that my birds are spilling too much feed I simply don't refill the feeder until they've cleaned up what's on the ground.
Dingus has always done this thing where she goes in the coop just to look for the best pieces of shavings and arrange them just so. It's got nothing to do with whether she needs to lay an egg and she's never been broody, she just really likes to make and maintain nests for whatever reason. It's even more fun when she gets another participant in the search for the best pieces, even if it's me leaning in through the side door. I went out a couple days ago and found Ziggy in there very diligently offering her bits of shavings, and today I finally spied her through a window squatting for him and doing the thing. Now he just has to win over Chungus.
