How many inches of feeder per bird?

[gale65]

Is there a rule of thumb? Since we've decided to keep all of our chickens, we need to make the feeder longer. It will ultimately be up against the wall so only one side will be accessible.

 

[MVchickens]

I have about two feet for 30 birds. It works for me because its not restricted feed and they dont eat at the same time.

 

[gale65]

thank you! So I guess my projected 2-3 feet will be plenty for a dozen.

I asked in another thread and one person said 1 foot per bird but I thought that sounded like more than we need.

 

[GhostRider65]

Most adult birds are between 6 and 8 inches wide standing side by side, I would just use this as a base depending on your breed of chicken maybe a bit wider like Jersey Giants or a bit smaller like bantams. It's sorta a common sense question In my opinion, not stating your asking wasn't warranted, because you are needing an answer. But that's how I usually try to look at things. That being said my space for other critters is figured like that so why not chickens, shouldn't be much different, the only ones who gets tons of space is the horses because if they are too close the lowest ranked member will not get any food. so my horse feeders are at least 15 feet apart, so a 3 foot wide horse wouldn't work for that calculation.

 

[gale65]

Quote:
But would chickens all be eating at the same time? I could see that for roosting since they all roost at the same time but if someone has 2 dozen chickens I can't imagine them needing 24 feet of feeder.

 

[GhostRider65]

True If I had 24 chickens, that would actually be 12 feet of feeder, I would think they would not all eat at the same time, my girls do seem to want to eat all at once 1 starts chowing then the others seem to follow when they are inside for the day, that does not hold true when they free range, then they just come and go as they please when hungry, and if space is an issue, I surely would think you could go smaller maybe even a few inches per bird, but I seem to always overdue, rather than redo............ so it's a horse a piece.
I seen a really cool feeder idea on another thread that used a plastic I think? gutter with PVC, and he used much less space, here's a link
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=543565
I think this is one of the better idea's I have seen......... could try something like this, I just may for winter when they are more cooped up, it's awful cold here average zero to 20 below most of the winter and an occasional week of 50 to 80 below with the wind chill, so I'm wondering just how much they might want to go out.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
That should be fine for your chickens.

 

[robbiebobbie]

I have a feeder on the order of a peck o matic. My birds seem very hungry since I put it in. Some seem to be usning it and some don't. Should I have more then one or will they eventually work their feeding schedules out? I have a mixture of different aged birds. I am not sure what to do.

 

[rjohns39]

A friend was recently compiling different animal welfare standards. I've found they work pretty well in my flock.

SPN – Sustainable Poultry Network
CH – Certified Humane

Feed
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)

 

[Folly's place]

I have four 15 lb. round feeders for my flock of 45 birds, and sometimes have five feeders out there. All are in separate areas, so no bird has problems finding a spot to eat at any time. I think that one long feeder would not work as well for this big a group. For winter, I have two heated waterers, rather than the five that are used in warmer weather. Again, is separate areas, and seems to work out fine. I don't keep birds that just can't seem to get along, very important having multiple cocks and cockerels! Mary