I read the food inside threads, but...

[KathyJB]

No one said anything about the mess. I have my food hanging inside with the lid of a molasses lick for cattle under that, but there is still crumbles getting on the sand floor. It's a mess. I remember my mom keeping the food inside and for me it's better because of ants and such, plus my run isn't weather proof.
I think it's time they change to lay pellets anyway, so maybe that will curb the mess?

 

[Judy]

Layer pellets should help. They might be reluctant to eat them at first, but be persistent, they will eat when they get hungry. Also your feeder may not be high enough off the ground. It needs to be at their "shoulder" level to make it harder to bill out the food. They'll probably pull some out, anyway, and a mama hen will always do this for her chicks. Mine mostly eat any spilled food off the ground, too.