how to stop so much billing out waste?

[OHhappychicks]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to prevent so much billing-out? When I go into my coop and look at all the feed on the floor, I cringe!

There's probably almost a 5 gal bucket full!

Our feeder is the galvanized kind hung from the ceiling. It doesn't have the individual holes. Would that make a difference?

 

[underground chickenman]

Is it high enough? I put mine even with about the mid-way point of their necks, a little higher than the tops of their backs. They just reach over the lip and peck away. I don't see much getting on the floor.

UGCM

 

[ranchhand]

Ducks? Or chickens? I find the pellet feed is a little bit less waste. I also put big plant saucers underneath, to catch the spillage and keep it a bit cleaner.

 

[OHhappychicks]

Well, I didn't think about the height. I could raise it a little and try that. I have a couple of my black stars that are really bad about it. My only problem is that I have to keep it low enough for my 2 porcelain bantams. I never thought of the flower pot dish either. I'll have to think on that also. The spread of the bill out is about a 2ft radius. They get in it and scratch, but it seems to me they still leave an awful lot on the floor! The one black star literally throws it back over her shoulder!

I only have chickens, no ducks. I feed them layer mash. Is there something else that is little more chuncky? or does that even matter. would they bill-out no matter what type of feed?

 

[acid_chipmunk]

Try pellets. My birds have much less mess since we have switched them to it. Also, if they do decide to throw a bunch on the floor of the coop, I don't fill the feeder until they clean up the floor.

 

[OccamsTazer]

Ditto on pellets! I was losing so much feed when I used crumbles.

I actually don't even use a feeder any more. I scatter big scoops of pellets all over the yard and pen. It keeps them from sitting there and effortlessly stuffing their fat faces and it gives them something to do if they're not free ranging.

 

[newchicksnducks]

Quote:
Pellets are really much cleaner than the crumbles were. If their pretty good size and no longer babies, I would put them on pellets. I love the idea of scattering feed for the birds...it would difinitely help in the boredom issue (and my pecking problem) But I have a cross beaked hen who is still able to eat pellets from our deep dish homemade feeder. She loves to walk around free ranging with the other girls, but always comes back to the coop to eat.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

If raising the feeder or switching to pellets doesn't work, you could always get a different feeder. There are plastic feeders that have little dividers in the tray, to keep them from billing food out.

We bought ours locally, but this is what they look like:

http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Cleaning-Supplies/Plastic-Hanging-Feeder-11-lb-p28.aspx

 

[OHhappychicks]

thank you all for responding! Great ideas. Will give a few of these a try and see what happens.