Keeping sparrows, etx out of the layer feed

[gdgross]

This far I've more or less been letting my two hens free range in my backyard almost 100%. This has plent of drawbacks, and I'm in the process of building a run to confine them for several hours per day if not most of the day. (as you can guess, my backyard is basically destroyed.

I've also been leaving the feeder out, usually under a tree or something and just putting it under the coop when it rains. Recently I've noticed that the other neighborhood birds are coming by for their free lunch and hanging out around the feeder. Kind of annoying, and I've definitely been going though feed almost twice as fast as before.

Until I get the run finished/covered, any bright ideas to keep those pesky freeloaders out of my hens' food? It's one of those circular 10lb metal feeders, and I've already covered the top with cardboard.

Thanks
Geoff

 

[JackE]

I keep the feeder in the coop. In over 2yrs, I've never had any wild birds go in there and eat. Keep the feeder in the coop, if the chickens want some feed, they will go in and get it. They are snacking on your yard for the most part now anyways. You are also taking a big chance on exposing your birds to disease and parasites having the wild birds hang around.
Jack

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I keep the feeder in the coop. In over 2yrs, I've never had any wild birds go in there and eat. Keep the feeder in the coop, if the chickens want some feed, they will go in and get it. They are snacking on your yard for the most part now anyways. You are also taking a big chance on exposing your birds to disease and parasites having the wild birds hang around.
Jack

I agree with JackE. I vote for in the coop! My feeders are in the coop.

Treadle feeders are good at keeping sparrows from eating your feed I have read if you still have problems later on.

 

[gdgross]

Thanks!!


Will do - I'm pretty annoyed at these neighborhood birds...

 

[Jitamon]

I feel ya. I have wild birds galore come for free lunch. I tried putting the food inn the coop, but the **** wild birds came in anyway. I trapped a couple of really beautiful doves. But this does not deter them. I have watched in amazement as little birds fly in tiny holes in the coop or even in through the chicken door. They go right to the food dish like they have done this before. I have even seen them come eat, fly away and come back with 4 more birds,lol.. What are you gonna do?? I watch these doves and wild Hawaiian birds every day come and go.
At this point, I accept it as a small cost of my chickens freedom.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I feel ya. I have wild birds galore come for free lunch. I tried putting the food inn the coop, but the **** wild birds came in anyway. I trapped a couple of really beautiful doves. But this does not deter them. I have watched in amazement as little birds fly in tiny holes in the coop or even in through the chicken door. They go right to the food dish like they have done this before. I have even seen them come eat, fly away and come back with 4 more birds,lol.. What are you gonna do?? I watch these doves and wild Hawaiian birds every day come and go.
At this point, I accept it as a small cost of my chickens freedom.

treadle feeder- they won't be heavy enough to open it up to get to the food