Messy eaters our ravenous beasts?

[haff]

I've had my chicks for a week now. Up until two days ago they were going through one fill of feed each day (I think its a quart) fit my 12 chicks. But suddenly they transitioned to two complete fills each day.

Now, they have always been messy eaters, but its not obvious to me if they just started wasting their food, or do they really eat this much now.

So I guess my question for the veterans.... How much should a dozen chicks be eating each day? (8 Plymouth rock, 4 new Hampshire red)

Thanks.


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[chkinut]

where is their food situated? mine was on top of the bedding (i use hay) and mine were going through it fast too! until one day i cleaned out the brooder and found loads of food within the bedding. so what i did is take a cookie sheet (forever for chicken use now, lol) and i put the feeder on top of the cookie sheet. now their mess mainly stays on the cookie sheet and they don't waste nearly as much cuz they'll eat it off the sheet too. have you ever watched the lil' buggers eat sometimes? they're crazy! they take their beaks and flip the food out all over the place.

 

[Chemguy]

I've found that raising the height of the feeder to be the same level as the height of the chicks' backs is a good way to cut down on the waste. Early on, I just use leftover blocks of 2x4 from the coop construction. Later, I hang the feeder. I do this with water, too. The key is making sure that the block of wood fits completely underneath the base of the feeder or waterer.

 

[Heartforchickens]

This method works for me: Only fill bottom part of feeder (not the quart top) two-thirds full at a time and they cannot flick the feed out. Just have to keep adding more throughout the day. I read this somewhere and it does work. Good luck.

 

[Nicole01]

I fill their dish and through it on the brooder floor for them to scratch. I bought a 50# bag for 3 chicks. I'm not worried about them wasting it.lol

Last year I used a spill proof dish with holes. That worked well.

Whatever spills now, they will eat it it up off the bottom.

Water is another issue! I put up on wood blocks to keep it clean inside!

 

[haff]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll try elevating the food a bit. I already put the water on top of a roll of duct tape (its weighty, stable, and i absolutely HAD to find a reason to use duct tape with the chickens) and have been pleasantly surprised at how clean the water has stayed. I'll try to track down another roll of tape and put the food on it.

A second benefit of the tape. The sides are slightly tacky, which makes tipping/moving the water almost impossible.