How can I not waste chicken feed????

[MakNugget]

Quote:
x2 on the pvc (abs works too). I use 3" with 2" holes in the side and there is little waste. The girls are very careful and tend to pick things through the bedding if they do manage to spill.

 

[Beekissed]

I have the old trough style feeder and I wrap it with welded wire fencing to prevent flicking and scratching. No feed wasted since doing this....I had built the PVC feeder but found that it doesn't dispense properly in humid or rainy weather.

You could also try feeding mash...I find it gets cleaned up better and produces less dust than pellets or crumbles. Seems to go farther than either one.

 

[Lotsapaints]

I haven't had any trouble with them dispensing the food down a 3ft trough but I live where it is fairly dry we have coastal fog in the am blazing hot later we used free 4" pvc conduit but the fittings cost $ still we made 2 feeders for under 30 counting the concrete blocks to keep it raised up and it is working great for my turkeys too. I also feed like a coarse mash with whole grains mixture mine will not eat even little pellets (I have to melt them) they prefer whole grains or sprouts over anything....a little spoiled probably

 

[chicksbestfriend]

I too have saved considerably using the pellets over the crumbles. At first, my flock didnt like the pellets and refused to eat it, but after several days and no crumbles, they learned to eat it. I have never used a "feeder" with my flock. I broadcast it in their run at sunrise and again at sunset. Feeding them anywhere from 4-5 lbs at each feeding. I go through 200 lbs a month on feed for my 61. It seems to be enough for them free ranging all day, along with all the kitchen scraps and waste and treats. The reason why I broadcast their food in the run; I use the deep litter method and the chickens are constantly in there scratching, turning the litter over for me, which makes my job alot easier. I have not had to change the litter this year so far and hoping I will not have to unless a big storm comes along and floods out the run. The best part about it, the chickens are all healthy and there is no smell in the run and coop.

 

[AKsmama]

We also use a PVC feeder and none of it gets billed or scratched out. The only time any gets wasted is if I spill any while I'm filling the feeder.

 

[BarefootMom]

I feed in various pans and on the ground at this moment. We have 30 chickens and they go through a 50lb bag every week. They are piglets. They free range all day long, our yard is about an acre and they also go out into the fields. (we live on 300 acres) I think my chickens are just spoiled though. They do dump their pans, but they eat it off the ground too. I don't know how people don't feed constantly when Chickens are free ranging- as soon as I open my back door they all come running if they are hungry. I can't walk to the mailbox without 30 chickens at my heels. I know I look quite the sight! lol! I have been thinking about doing the PVC feeders since the hanging feeders are so expensive and I need to buy a couple big waterers before winter. Right now they drink out of a kiddie pool

 

[WonderChicken]

My chickens were getting rather wasteful even with the curved lip on my feeder, so I added a piece of 1" x 1" hardware cloth and have greatly reduced the waste. They can no longer "root" through the feed spilling it out to the ground and it refills under the hardware cloth just fine. Has also kept my pup from being able to help herself to mouthfulls. It fits under the tube and lays flat across the feeder. I trimmed the edges to an exact fit and filed the points to make sure it doesn't scratch the chickens. It is a 22 lb feeder and it is set up on blocks in the run. With 8 chickens I only need to refill it once a week or more. Usually later than sooner. They do get out to graze twice a day for a few hours each as well which is the highlight of their day ;o)

 

[maryboland]

I have a hanging feeder, set at about the level of their backs and have no waste. That's even though I have to feed mash (the only organic feed available to me is in mash form). I really recommend a hanging feeder.

 

[triggfamily5]

Quote:
Oh, I wonder if that would work with my hanging galvanized feeders.... hmm, going to have to check on that. Even though I hang them, my boys and girls still tend to dump it all over.

 

[txliss]

ummm, not let the 11 year old fill the feeders.

My dd is not exactly careful, but she does love her birdies!