Homemade feeder

[robyn8]

My husband made a feeder, the kind the chickens have to stick their heads into. It has 2 holes. We have 3 hens right now and 7 chicks. We plan to add another feeder with 2 holes but will that be enough for 10 birds? 2 feeders each with 2 holes? They hold a ton of food but didn't know if 4 feeding spots are enough.

Thanks!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Four holes for 10 birds may work, but it could also potentially lead to issues. I would definitely encourage you to locate the two feeders a good distance from one another to lessen the chances of the minimal feeding ports being monopolized by one or two birds claiming the resource. What sort of container are you using to build the feeder out of - - is it one that could have more ports put in it than just the two you have?

 

[robyn8]

Four holes for 10 birds may work, but it could also potentially lead to issues.  I would definitely encourage you to locate the two feeders a good distance from one another to lessen the chances of the minimal feeding ports being monopolized by one or two birds claiming the resource.  What sort of container are you using to build the feeder out of - - is it one that could have more ports put in it than just the two you have?

We're using old cat litter containers a little smaller than 5 gallon buckets. I thought 2 ports each wasn't enough but it would be easier for my husband whose making them. We thought about the design some more and think we can get 4 ports per feeder. Would that be better? Or would three feeders be necessary? I don't want any fighting or unhappy chickens.