metal feeders

[garynancy]

Had a very cold night here in Massachusetts and noticed something on our metal feeder. Bits of red all over it? I think the chickens combs are freezing to it like sticking your tongue to a metal pole in winter. Replaced with a plastic one hopefully this will help. Has this ever happened to anyone? thanks

 

[Flock Master64]

That sounds terrible. I've never heard of that before. I've always used plastic feeders and a heated metal or glass waterer during winter.

 

[garynancy]

Yes we heat the water but just never gave it a second thought about the feeder. hope this will help others from making the same mistake

 

[aart]

Had a very cold night here in Massachusetts and noticed something on our metal feeder. Bits of red all over it? I think the chickens combs are freezing to it like sticking your tongue to a metal pole in winter. Replaced with a plastic one hopefully this will help. Has this ever happened to anyone? thanks

I guess it's possible...combs or wattles would have to be pretty wet to begin with for that to happen, which is another concern.....but I suspect that maybe someone got a cut on their comb and flung blood all over. Even tiny cut on comb can bleed quite a bit, usually heals up real fast but meanwhile blood spatter can look like murder scene.


ETA:Where were spots on feeder, down on rim of trough or up on canister part?
If they had in fact got stuck to metal surface there will be evidence....do birds have scabs on combs and/or wattles?

 

[chickens really]

Putting Vaseline around the rim of the metal feeder helps.....


Cheers!

 

[Trish1974]

I guess it's possible...combs or wattles would have to be pretty wet to begin with for that to happen, which is another concern.....but I suspect that maybe someone got a cut on their comb and flung blood all over. Even tiny cut on comb can bleed quite a bit, usually heals up real fast but meanwhile blood spatter can look like murder scene.


ETA:Where were spots on feeder, down on rim of trough or up on canister part?
If they had in fact got stuck to metal surface there will be evidence....do birds have scabs on combs and/or wattles?

I agree with aart, as I've been experiencing this lately (bloody streaks on feeders and waterers). Upon investigating I noticed my BJG has had some damage to her comb (most likely from my bossy BO who like to take turns picking on everyone).

 

[Bananabread]

another reason to maybe switch over to PVC based feeders

 

[Bananabread]

another reason to maybe switch over to PVC based feeders