is a 12 lb feeder too big for 4 chickens?

[dftkarin]

I want to buy a metal hanging feeder and the smallest galvenized one I can find locally is 12 lbs - maybe that's the smallest metal one they make - is that too big for 4 chickens? I like the idea of only needing to fill a feeder once a week or less - but wouldn't the food be hanging around outside in the coop (or run) for too long with only 4 chickens eating from a 12 lb feeder? I have seen 7 lb plastic feeders but I don't trust those plastic tabs that hold it together.

 

[gritsar]

I have a 30 lb. metal one w/ a 14" base and love it. If you don't want the feed to get stale in it, just don't fill it up. Most of the metal ones have hooks in the side to adjust the amount of feed that spills into the base. It would take my 18 chickens several days at least to eat everything in it if I filled it all the way up, so I just add a fresh scoop or two of feed a day. It's nice to have knowing that if I have to be away for longer than a few hours I can just add more feed and they'll be fine. Be sure to hang it so that the base is level with their backs.

 

[hooligan]

I have one for my house chickens that holds about 8lbs, but I made it myself out of a mini-bucket. It has a lid on it so the food won't go stale as fast.
Have you thought about making your own? Much cheaper

 

[dftkarin]

I would prefer to make one myself but I tried with coffee cans and I broke the handle of my scissors, cut my hand with my saw, and struggled with my limited tool selection and in the end the food at first wouldn't come out and when I adjusted the holes, it came out to fast and at a crazy angle! I'm still searching for 1-2 gallon buckets with strudy handles (I asked at the grocery store, asked the bartender and carpenter friends I have) and I still haven't found a container! The coffee containers seemed sturdy and good sized but they were hard to cut and had funky indents and I couldn't make it work.

 

[hooligan]

Mine is actually a bucket from a Cosmopolitan drink mix kit I got for Xmas. You can get 2 gal buckets in the hardware section at Walmart though, have you looked there?

 

[Daycare Mom]

I have a small 7lb feeder that I use in my smaller coop it seems to be perfect size for my 7 girls. I bought it at TSC.

 

[jaybme]

Hooligan, Time for a pic!

I am a visual learner, and yours sounds great!
Thanks- if you can...

 

[hooligan]

Quote:
Will do when I get home! Its the same idea as the ones in my other thread, just a smaller bucket. Whent he girls finish off the Start & Grow in the bucket we go to Layena! Almost layin' time

They are 4 months & 6 days old

 

[silkiechicken]

Actually, you could make a coffee can feeder with like a cake pan and the coffee can without cutting, only drilling.

At the top of the can minus the top and bottom, put two holes and put in a metal coat hanger, at the bottom, put four holes and line them up with the cake pan with four matching holes. Put the wire though and you're done! Granted it's not that pretty and over time has now become a large can of rust, but it still works!

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Not if you dont fill it up all the way.
The biggest problem is that the feed will sit for too long in the feeder if you do. It could sour or get buggy or whatever - Murphy's Law always applies.

SO only put in what they will eat in a few days time.