Large feeder for 9

[chickenlittle21]

How often do you need to refill?

Every week or two

 

[rosemarythyme]

How many chickens do you have and how often are you refilling? I plan on storing in a bin or something as well overnight, as long as it doesn't attract any predators? We've only had one attempt at our bird feeders in years and garbage cans and compost bins are never touched so I hope a covered garbage can with the food inside will suffice.

I have 7 hens 4 chicks. When it was just the hens it was refilled about once a week (I also feed fermented feed on the side so the dry feed was only half of what they ate). With the chicks there's a lot more refilling since the chicks like knocking feed everywhere (the adults were much more tidy), so I plan on getting a second feeder at some point.

For overnight storage, the 7 lb version of that feeder fits in this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Behrens...nd-Trash-Can-with-Locking-Lid-00108/202264761

 

[MarcKB]

With two of these, for 9 birds I fill a little more often than once per month (takes a whole bag). I keep in the coop typically.

My coop is tight on space. Any thoughts on how few of these openings I could get away with for 18 hens?

 

[Doc7]

My coop is tight on space. Any thoughts on how few of these openings I could get away with for 18 hens?

2 Tubs (6 PVCs) should be fine. I see hens go 2-3 at a time on the same opening frequently! They will learn to eat when it’s free.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Feeding using one of these type feeders is just begging for a rodent problem. You might get away with it for a while but rodents are going to eat during the day even if you put the feeder in a trash can at night. You will attract wild birds and rodents, just a matter of time. Soon after will come the predators that naturally feed on rodents and wild birds, predators that will happily take a chicken, chick, or egg rather than chasing down their natural food. Also coming soon are vermin like lice and mites.

As for the size of a feeder, a laying hen is going to eat a quarter pound of feed per day, ignore the roosters, most eat very little. So size your feeder to the number of days you want to be able to be away from home.

 

[Lesabrowning]

I love all the DIY suggestions here! I am an Amazon junkie.. like I order just about everything from them..... I have noticed they sell all the parts you need to create your own feeders and waterers. So if you have the empty kitty litter bins, coffee containers, 5-gallon buckets, or whatever, you can order the various plastic parts for cheap and voila! and if you don't have a cat or drink coffee... ask on FB Marketplace or Freecycle and I promise someone in your area will be happy to give you their "trash"..... Also, stores like Rural King have a bin in the parking lot with free wood, it is mostly Pallets, but there are plans all over the internet for things to build out of pallets.

 

[Chickidee26]

Feeding using one of these type feeders is just begging for a rodent problem. You might get away with it for a while but rodents are going to eat during the day even if you put the feeder in a trash can at night. You will attract wild birds and rodents, just a matter of time. Soon after will come the predators that naturally feed on rodents and wild birds, predators that will happily take a chicken, chick, or egg rather than chasing down their natural food. Also coming soon are vermin like lice and mites.

As for the size of a feeder, a laying hen is going to eat a quarter pound of feed per day, ignore the roosters, most eat very little. So size your feeder to the number of days you want to be able to be away from home.

Which feeder are you referring to?

 

[Al Gerhart]

The plastic buckets with PVC plumbing elbows. Any type of feeder that is wide open. Even a poor version of a treadle feeder might stop some rodents and wild birds.

 

[Chickidee26]

The plastic buckets with PVC plumbing elbows. Any type of feeder that is wide open. Even a poor version of a treadle feeder might stop some rodents and wild birds.

What do you feel is the best type of feeder?