How do I reduce feed waste??? Help, please!

[tazcat70]

Also to get them to clean up what they have spilled don't put anything in the pan. They will scratch around and look for it. If you are worried about them not having anything in the pan, just put a little bit in there, and then check on them throughout the day.

A lot of times, I will feed them, they make the mad dash to the feed, then a few minutes later the are wandering off to scratch around the yard.

Two days ago I put some scratch in last years tomato patch, I wanted them to work the soil, I did this while they were watching.

They didn't eat it that day but the next morning I let them out and then started feeding them, when I came out with their food they were in the tomato patch, cleaning it up.

 

[greenmulberry]

If my chickens knock to feed out, I don't give them anymore until they clean up most of the spilled stuff.

Also, I find hanging the feeder high reduces how much the slosh out.

 

[congdon476]

LOL- I have to laugh a little. I put chick feed out for my chicks last night before going to bed-- about a cup and a half on a plate. I went down this morning to check on them and the plate was cleaned! I noticed that they seem to have "scratched" up the litter around the plate looking for more. I guess this starts a very young age (7 days old). Smart little dudes and dudettes. Will have to put more food out I guess... there's only three of them!

 

[Beau coop]

Quote:
Do you have a picture you can post of your setup. It sounds very interesting.

 

[birdkeeper]

Thanks to All of you.......
I have lots of different types of chickens and went through crumbles like crazy Until I read about the pellets, Seems they keep Crumbles in the back (behind the doors for the public) so you don't know the feed store has it Unless you ask...that saved lots!

I thought I would make "chicken toilets," 2x4's in a shape that would fit under their perches with hardware cloth stapled on, to catch the litter.........I thought I should make a place to hold up their food (out of the way of their droppings) there also.....good for their droppings while eating..........still bad idea as they continue to waste much. I will have to change that.

I did order some small rubber bowls that attach to the wall to hold their grit and Oyster shell separately so they will not be tossing out the food to get to those tasty morels.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

I use a J shaped pvc pipe feeder. The chickens have to wait in line to eat but they all get plenty. They have to stick there head down the end of the pipe to eat so they cant slosh it out an if they did there's usually a chicken waiting in line that will pick it up. My feed costs are 1/3 what they were when I was using regular feeders.

 

[suzieq]

I used mash for years in this past year switched to pellets. The girls did not like it as much but they got used to it and based on my feed bill last year I am using much less. The pellets for me are several dollars more xpensive but I find they last longer and there is less on the coop floor.

Good luck

Susan

 

[l'oeuf]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for all the great advice. I think I will first try raising the hanging feeder higher, and not put as much in at one time, and see how that works. It's amazing all the great ideas and feeder/waterer set-ups there are out there!

Cheers,
Vanessa

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

I use pellets in my homemade chicken feeder and force the girls to reach their necks in a bit to access the feed. This makes it a little more tricky for them, but they don't waste any food (none gets "billed out").

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

If you are wasing feed, having piles scattered on floor, then you have either too many feeder spaces (feeder is too big) or you are not restricing feed flow in your feeder. Simply pouring feed in a bowl invites waste and vermin. Find a decent feeder that has the capability of both storage and restriction of feed flow.

Jim