Keeping rodents out of homemade feeder (5 gallon bucket)?

[kikster]

A quick question for those that use the homemade feeder (5 gal bucket, drilled holes, w/ planter under). What do you do about keeping critters out of the feed at night? We usually close our feed bin up at night (dumping any unused food into it), because we don't want rodents trying to get into the henhouse at night to get to the food. What would you suggest for using the auto feeder method. Do you just leave it out at all times?

 

[Emzyyy]

I couldn't help you I use a old piece of metal gutter with the ends folded up and its nailed to the floor.

 

[Tweeza]

I don't lose as much when I sprinkle the surface with red pepper. I've noticed a difference when I sprinkle and when I don't. Their feeder is in the coop and I feed at night if it's nearing empty. Too much to do in the early morning.

ETA: I got that tip right here at BYC

 

[digitS']

Kikster, I'd go after the rodents and put away the feed for the night. There will still be some on the floor probably but you can offer bait that's more tasty, I'm thinking.

Are you talking about mice? I don't have larger rodents that get into the coop.

Plain old ordinary spring traps with a raisin dipped in peanut butter are lethal in my coop. There are cages that the hens can't get into but mice can. I put the traps in there.

Steve

 

[Mahlzeit]

Are your hens in a barn or in a coop of their own? I feed mine the layer pellets rather than mash and I keep their 30lb feeder full at all times. I have hear that the rodents aren't as fond of the pellet form as the mash. I am not sure if that is true or not. I haven't had any issues with mice or rats getting into my coop at night for the feed though. Their coop is secure and I do periodically check for any chewed holes in and around the coop. I have had the coop for 6 years now and still haven't found signs of rodents inside. Have had rats living underneath every now and then.

 

[kikster]

I don't lose as much when I sprinkle the surface with red pepper. I've noticed a difference when I sprinkle and when I don't. Their feeder is in the coop and I feed at night if it's nearing empty. Too much to do in the early morning

Tweeza: Oh, I hadn't heard of the red pepper, I'll give it a try. We don't usually keep the feeder in the coop, is why I was wondering. My son has been refilling a temporary container w/food for them each day, and then dumping what hasn't been used (if its still dry) back into the feed bin (rubbermaid tub) at the end of the day. We wake up pretty early and let them back out to eat in the am. We were doing this to prevent spills in the henhouse at night since we don't have a hanging container.

Kikster, I'd go after the rodents and put away the feed for the night. There will still be some on the floor probably but you can offer bait that's more tasty, I'm thinking.

Are you talking about mice? I don't have larger rodents that get into the coop.

digitS' Thanx for the raisin PB tip! We don't have mice/rats (that we know of) right now, but had a problem w/them in the past, and were trying to take preventative measures. We are really intrigued with the homemade feeder being such an effective, yet inexpensive option, but we're concerned that we won't be able to close the food up at night due to the holes.

Are your hens in a barn or in a coop of their own?....

Mahlzeit, They are in a coop of their own. They have their own house, and then a fenced pen, which is where the feed bin is usually. If the food is left out in the pen, we were worried that it'd be a free for all once we lock the hens in.

I have hear that the rodents aren't as fond of the pellet form as the mash. I am not sure if that is true or not.

Wow I had not heard that! Definitely something to consider, as we're giving them mash now....

Thanx for all the quick replies guys!​