How do I feed 21 chickens that are all together?

[junebuggena]

Interesting!! Ill head to tractor supply and buy flock raiser and start laying feed in spring will once in a while corn be fine? I see they love it

Corn is fine as an occasional treat. You don't ever need to give layer feed. Your hens will lay just as well without it. And you won't be damaging the roosters kidneys with excess calcium. A hen can get all the calcium she needs from crushed oyster shell.

 

[kevm2017]

What don't you like about the feeders in that thread? They work well and are cheap and easy to make.

I do like the plan, but it only fit like 4 openings so i would have to make like 5 feeders for all my hens. I want something easier and faster. But if i dont have choice ill start one by one lol

 

[rjohns39]

Below are some industry standards that address feeders, may or may not be useful.

SPN – Sustainable Poultry Network
CH – Certified Humane

Multiple feeders (SPN)
Access to free choice calcium (CH)
2 inches linear of double-side feed space (CH)
3 inches feeder space per bird (SPN)
4 inches of single-side feed space linear (CH)
1.5 inches perimeter feed space for circular feeders (CH)
Within 8 yards within a house (feed and water) (CH)

 

[junebuggena]

You don't need a hole for every single bird. Pecking order rules strictly regulate who gets to eat and when. Generally, you need enough openings to accommodate about half your flock. Higher ranking birds eat first, lower ranking birds get to eat last.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I would make a half dozen PVC pipe feeders and keep them full all the time, the reason they fight if you put down a tray of food is they are HUNGRY, they need access to food all day.

Gary

 

[Folly's place]

I have four feeders in different locations for my flock (right now 41 birds) so everyone can eat without struggle. I like the round feeders, with plenty of space for multiple birds at one time. I also feed Flock Raiser, which is fresh locally here. Always check the mill date on each bag of feed! It should be fed within about six weeks, so some of the vitamins aren't lost.
Corn and scratch feed are treats, not complete feeds!
Mary

 

[nminusyplusm]

I do like the plan, but it only fit like 4 openings so i would have to make like 5 feeders for all my hens. I want something easier and faster. But if i dont have choice ill start one by one lol

You could probably fit 8 portholes in a tote this size. And 2 totes would be enough:

 

[Folly's place]

My bantams would climb right in; anyone? Is this a problem with small birds?
Mary

 

[bruceha2000]

I have 17 girls and one hanging feeder in the coop (converted horse stall). The coop has an auto door so there are no "night time visitors".

The feeder is simply a piece of 3" Sched 40 PVC about 2.5' long (it was in the barn when we bought the place) vertically attached to a 10" (I think) plastic pot tray which I bought at the hardware store. I used small L braces to attach it and drilled two 2" holes in the pipe at the bottom; the feeder is hung from the ceiling.



There is always feed in the feeder and the girls don't all need to eat at the same time. Doesn't seem to be a problem at all. I suppose if I get more birds I might need a second feeder.

 

[nminusyplusm]

My bantams would climb right in; anyone? Is this a problem with small birds?
Mary

They can't climb in with a lid on top and there's no way they could go through the elbows.