Is there a 'best' treadle feeder?

[CabritaChicks]

As the title says, I’m looking for the best option—price isn’t an issue. I want something safe (I've heard some can cause injuries), especially since I do plan to train them.

My current coop setup and feeder design are a disaster when it comes to feed waste. I’m not exaggerating—I've even tried a raised feeder, and nothing works. The feed turns to mush, stinks to high heaven and draws in flies. It's a mess.
Thanks!

 

[CabritaChicks]

I will add: not made of metal is ideal as it will be on the beach/sea and the salt destroys all.

 

[NetherLeeFarm]

Are there treadle feeders not made of metal? We have two of the Grandfather feeders and they're amazing. However, they are galvanized metal. They've been in use for about 3-4 years, one in the run and one inside the coop, and there's absolutely no rust. We get a ton of rain and snow here, but the only salt is on the roads so not sure this will help you.

 

[CabritaChicks]

Thanks! Yeah I am having a hard time with the tropics. Im also thinking of a gravity nipple feeder- but not sure if the chickens will eat out of it. And it costs a fortune to ship.

 

[NetherLeeFarm]

Thanks! Yeah I am having a hard time with the tropics. Im also thinking of a gravity nipple feeder- but not sure if the chickens will eat out of it. And it costs a fortune to ship.

Are you talking about a gravity nipple waterer? Those are easy to make.

The Grandfather feeders are heavy-duty metal, so you may be surprised at the longevity. I purchased one and loved it so much that I decided to get a second one. I wanted to save some money and bought a cheaper knockoff on amazon. The minute it arrived, I returned it and ordered another Grandfather one. The knockoff was much thinner and almost flimsy. I couldn't see it lasting long in our conditions or yours.

For extra protection, you could always seal it with a clearcoat acrylic spray and do that every year or so.

 

[CabritaChicks]

Are you talking about a gravity nipple waterer? Those are easy to make.

The Grandfather feeders are heavy-duty metal, so you may be surprised at the longevity. I purchased one and loved it so much that I decided to get a second one. I wanted to save some money and bought a cheaper knockoff on amazon. The minute it arrived, I returned it and ordered another Grandfather one. The knockoff was much thinner and almost flimsy. I couldn't see it lasting long in our conditions or yours.

For extra protection, you could always seal it with a clearcoat acrylic spray and do that every year or so.

Just for feed. Not water.
I might be using the wrong terminology here—I keep getting aggressively corrected by people on forum. But I thought this type of dispenser was called a “nipple”?

I apologize for my ignorance on these types of subjects. I work with plants and animals in clinic- not feeders

I’ve already purchased *something (above), and it’s on the way (though shipping is a nightmare—customs sometimes just keeps things, ugh). I like that it has fewer moving parts. Out here, any exposed metal corrodes within days unless you scrub it constantly (just ask anyone with a sailboat!). We’re not just “near” the sea—we’re on it. The coop is literally in the forest, right on the beach.

Still interested in the treadle system—it feels like a more natural approach. That “Grandfather” style is exactly what I had in mind. I’d just prefer sturdier joints—something better than metal-on-metal (Im a car person- can we get ball joints or bearings- how can I make this design more complicated?), especially once corrosion sets in.

Side note: I ordered it on Amazon, and when my husband saw the confirmation image, he exclaimed, “What in the name of God did you buy now?! Is that for kids?” He thought I was ordering some kind of weird baby toy!

... we don't have little kids. lol.f

 

[thecatumbrella]

Just to make sure I understand, you're having issues because they're beaking the food out?

I thought I had this problem solved with my last flock, but now we have a size discrepancy with one of our chickens and food is getting wasted again. I ordered a bagillion plastic feeders to test out and will let you know if there's a winner (I'm also not a fan of metal).

I actually have a really nice treadle feeder that I'm not positive they make anymore (showcased here... you might have to fast forward a bit). I've never had the chance to actually use it, but I bought it specifically because it has safety upgrades over the Grandpa's.

 

[CabritaChicks]

Just to make sure I understand, you're having issues because they're beaking the food out?

I thought I had this problem solved with my last flock, but now we have a size discrepancy with one of our chickens and food is getting wasted again. I ordered a bagillion plastic feeders to test out and will let you know if there's a winner (I'm also not a fan of metal).

I actually have a really nice treadle feeder that I'm not positive they make anymore (showcased here... you might have to fast forward a bit). I've never had the chance to actually use it, but I bought it specifically because it has safety upgrades over the Grandpa's.

Beaking the food out YES, and I have a dove issue. I hate that the doves steal and mess up the place- which causes more pests, etc.

Let me know what you find out!

 

[NetherLeeFarm]

Just for feed. Not water.
I might be using the wrong terminology here—I keep getting aggressively corrected by people on forum. But I thought this type of dispenser was called a “nipple”?

View attachment 4128646
I apologize for my ignorance on these types of subjects. I work with plants and animals in clinic- not feeders

I’ve already purchased *something (above), and it’s on the way (though shipping is a nightmare—customs sometimes just keeps things, ugh). I like that it has fewer moving parts. Out here, any exposed metal corrodes within days unless you scrub it constantly (just ask anyone with a sailboat!). We’re not just “near” the sea—we’re on it. The coop is literally in the forest, right on the beach.

Still interested in the treadle system—it feels like a more natural approach. That “Grandfather” style is exactly what I had in mind. I’d just prefer sturdier joints—something better than metal-on-metal (Im a car person- can we get ball joints or bearings- how can I make this design more complicated?), especially once corrosion sets in.

Oh definitely not aggressively correcting you! I was just confused and didn't know those were also called nipple feeders lol. I actually don't know what those are called. I just always thought of them as the guillotine feeders because it looks like a chicken has no head when it eats from them.

I've never used one, but I do know that they (like treadle feeders) can't be used with young chicks. And I'm not sure it will keep a dove out, but maybe! Please keep us posted.

 

[CabritaChicks]

In case anyone was wondering: it did get delivered. Assembly was a beast—definitely recommend having a flat surface you don’t mind getting a little scuffed up, plus a mallet on hand and freedom to use fowl language. It did come with an adorable screwdriver set, and some gloves to protect your hands.

Now that it’s put together, it works! The chickens figured it out within a minute or two. There’s still a bit of waste, but it’s a big improvement over them being able to scratch everything out.

Ill need this in the near future as someone inexperienced with chickens will need to care for them for a few weeks while I am in surgery in the states. So this holds 25# of feed, which is a huge improvement from filling the old one twice a day and them wasting half. Overall I would recommend it at this point.

Edit: Here are the RIR's, and some young 6 week old chicks. All breeds/ages/sizes uses without issue. Moments after I put it down in a temporary neutral space. They could easily get their head up in there younger than 6 weeks IMO. But I think it depends on the model. Couple days in- there is a large reduction of 'ick- nasty flies' and waste of food.

I mean even Gypsy chick (which is half the size of the smaller white group) uses it. She is about the size of a 4 week old.

As far as the doves are concerned, the nipple feeders just aren’t worth the effort—there’s not enough spilled feed for them to scavenge. They’ve backed off for now, probably because there’s plenty to forage in the forest. Before, it almost seemed like the chickens were intentionally feeding the doves with all their enthusiastic scratching.