Layer pellets all over the bricks...how can I stop them from kicking them all over

[shannara200]

Hello everyone, I am hoping someone can help me with this issue I keep a feeder in the coop area for the chickens to eat out of the type is pictured below:

My issue is that when they eat out of it the chickens have a tendency to leave a lot of the pellets on the floor which is brick, I wanted to figure out a way to set it up where they can eat out of it but not have the ability to drop any on the ground. Right now the feeder sits on the floor, should I hang it? and if so how high? or should I use a different style of feeder?

any advise would be great

Thanks everyone.

 

[susychick]

I just throw the food on the ground they love scratching for it.

 

[jolleyfarm]

We have the same feeder, ours is hanging to about neck height on our chickens. That way they can eat comfortably, but not jump on it and other things. They still knock the food out, but chickens do that. I'm having a problem with mine being picky.. But I think you should get it off of the ground for sure, or find a feeder that they can't throw the food out of.

 

[whitt910]

I agree I would get it off the ground for sure.. Hang if off the ground far enough that they can reach it to eat, but not low enough they can scratch at it. We still have issues with spillage due to the huge wattles of the roosters and the reason I blame it on them is because I've sat and watched them pick through it and spill massive amounts

. I think with anything you are going to have some spillage, but getting it off the ground will help you for sure. Maybe if you put something like pavers or something under the feeder they will see what they've spilled and eat it. One of the big pros to sand in their coop from what I can gather is the fact that they can see what they've spilled easier than if it is in shavings. I have shavings for litter right now, but am considering making the switch to sand. I also have the feeders outside their coop in their run, this forces them to get out of their coop and forage around, but where their food is located is still under cover so if there is bad weather they can still be protected to eat and I will move one feeder inside for them as well.

 

[TripleKFarm]

yea hang it where they can reach it with their beaks but not be able to get their feet in it. I have one like that and I also have those coffee creamer plastic tubs. they can get their heads in it but they can't scratch around in it. but they do love to scratch around for things so it is also providing them some entertainment. so maybe do both...hang the feeder and throw some down on the floor.

 

[chickenfever417]

I had the same problem.....I hung it at head level and instantly solved the problem....

 

[Rich386]

Raising it to head hight will certainly help. You night consider another type of feeder. These come in large 10 1/2" and small easy build less waste.