How to save on Feed?

[Egghead_Jr]

Big birds like Giants my eat as much as .33 lbs each per day. Winter with no other feed source and a big bird. Doing the math that would be 2 weeks on a bag of feed. They may be scratching it onto ground then ignoring it or there is other things eating feed than chickens. Even with the generous estimate of feed intake your losing 25% feed somewhere.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I was using way more feed when feeding crumbles, between sparrow, mice, starlings and the birds spooning it out. I switched to a pellet, slowly, mixing half and half, now I go through less, there's no spooning, sparrows can't eat it, mice have been poisoned and starlings we are still working on.

I would try switching to a pellet form of ration as well as feeding something like an all flock that has a higher protein so they don't need to eat as much.

 

[TheHappyHen21]

I was using way more feed when feeding crumbles, between sparrow, mice, starlings and the birds spooning it out. I switched to a pellet, slowly, mixing half and half, now I go through less, there's no spooning, sparrows can't eat it, mice have been poisoned and starlings we are still working on.

I would try switching to a pellet form of ration as well as feeding something like an all flock that has a higher protein so they don't need to eat as much.

yes i have fed pellet feed before but I feed a poultry crumble for laying that is intended for ducks and chickens, my duck cant eat pellets as she has a hard time swallowing it even while drinking water. But im going to try the pellets again and just get my lil duck her own small bag of crumbles. Here is the kind of red feeder I use and as my girls and guy are getting bigger im thinking I need another one or think of a different kind of feeder to buy or make. you should see when they are all crowding around the feeder dish its completely black with the dish in the middle

 

[chicklover 1998]

i thought you were using that one , do you have it hanging or is it on the ground.

 

[TheHappyHen21]

i thought you were using that one , do you have it hanging or is it on the ground.

I hang it with Baling twine

 

[chicklover 1998]

since it is hung I would say it gets knocked around I fill mine every day to top it off and I know that some days they do bump it out, but a cheap option is to make pvc feeders like I have I actually have both pvc and the hanging feeder. Mine cannot knock feed out of the pvc feeders I bought all new materials including the glue some people don't like to use glue because they think it would affect their chickens but when it is dry it is harmless, but back to materials the total was under 10 dollars.

 

[yochickiemomma]

My parents have that style feeder and their chickens make a mess. I have a 4 gallon olive barrel (could use a bucket) w two 3" 45 degree PVC pipes in it. Sorry I Don't have pictures but a lot of people have done it with a five gallon bucket and PVC pipe. My girls hardly drag any of the feed out and they eat a non gmo crumble/ powdery mix.

 

[chicklover 1998]

we used a trap rather than a 45 or 90 degree elbow I like it better I should have specified exactly how it was made.

 

[aart]

Quote: A good option to modify these is to get a deeper pan(3-4") about the same diameter and screw/bolt it to the red base.

I went this route.......cause I like to tinker with stuff.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/aarts-almost-waste-free-funnel-bucket-feeder

 

[TheHappyHen21]

A good option to modify these is to get a deeper pan(3-4") about the same diameter and screw/bolt it to the red base.

I went this route.......cause I like to tinker with stuff.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/aarts-almost-waste-free-funnel-bucket-feeder

WOW! That is a good idea! I have a deaper pan right in my barn I can use thanks That will work Perfect