My bird and Rodent proof feeder

[sandman55]

Thanks guys but I have since found I too need to modify mine. I was leaving the cover open for the first stage of training eg them getting used to it and with a small amount of feed in the reservoir. All was going well with the occasional layers pellet flicked out so I filled it up completely and for the start things were OK then at midday I let the chooks out in the yard under my fruit trees, they love it there and spend most of their time there. I later noticed some pellets on the treadle which I blamed the sparrows for because I think the chooks were under the fruit trees all the time. Later that day when the chooks returned disaster struck, there was a pile of feed on the treadle and under it. I think one of the chooks must have got in there under the cover and started scratching, I don't think the sparrows of which there are plenty would have done that also the weight of the feed in the reserve at the back would have contributed to it. I missed the amendment that Gallo del Cielo made where he says:-
Quote:

1 1/2". The extra width to the lip helps to further limit billing feed out of the feeder.

I ended up making the lip 1 inch and not 1 1/2 inch but I don't think that would be the cause of such a spill, I think I need to lower the level of feed in the feeding area. In the design the top front panel which is 16 inches by 12 inches (there is a difference between the original drawing by Gallo del Cielo and the PDF by ajhaig which shows it as 16 inch by 10 inch). With the 12 inch deep panel where there is 10 inches above the feed chamber 1/2 inch where it passes through into the feed chamber and then 1/2 inch where it goes into the feed chamber and governs the height of the feed in the feed chamber. I have two ideas to get around my problem (yes it would have improved things if I had made the lip 1 1/2 inch instead of 1 inch) My first idea is to extend the front panel lower into the feed chamber which should lower the level of feed in the chamber. I would do this by cutting a piece of 1/2 plywood 16 inches by about 4 inch I would then attach it to the bottom 1 1/2 inches of the top front panel with two metal thread screws with wing nuts. I would slot the holes so that it can be adjusted up or down. I have another idea as well but I will see how the first one goes. I wont have time to do this till after the new year but when I do I will report back how I went. Once the chooks are trained and the feed cover is not held open I don't think I would have the problem of the chooks getting in there and scratching out the grain. I do think the level of the grain in my feeder is too high and even if they cant get in there and scratch they would still bill some of the feed out.

 

[sandman55]

Sorry I made a double post

 

[sandman55]

Update.
Hi guys we went away for Christmas so my project was on hold but now that I am back I extended the front panel deeper into the feed chamber to lower the feed level as shown in picture.

I attached it with 3/16" gutter bolts with wing nuts and tested it out but the feed was still getting billed up and would soon over flow so I watched one of the chooks closely and noticed that it was selectively eating the wheat that I mixed with the pellets and was billing around in the feed for the wheat. So my problem is that I am mixing their feed and they love the wheat more than the layers pellets.

I have emptied out the feeder and put it in storage and I will have to hand feed the two buckets of mixed feed till it is used up (I have five chooks) then I will only use layers pellets in the feeder and I will hand feed them wheat at the end of the day. I shouldn't have a problem with rodents or birds eating the wheat because the chooks love it so much they should clean it up before nighfall and they will have full access to the pellets so will not go hungry also I am trying sprouting the wheat in a jar the same way you sprout alfalfa (first batch started tonight) so they should get more goodness.

When they have cleaned up the mixed grain I will try the feeder again but there is a good number of weeks of feed to use.

 

[jengrantmorris]

Your feeder looks great! We have a real problem with sparrows. We have a metal version similar to yours, and the sparrows jump in while the chickens are feeding, then get trapped in there when the chickens step away and the lid closes. I don't know what to do about them - they stay in there until the chickens next feed, unless one of us is nearby and hears them and lets them out.

 

[sandman55]

Thanks, the sparrows are very persistent and intelligent, I was having problems with them nesting in my roof each spring, no sooner would I clean them out then they would move into another corner. I built a sparrow trap one year

and caught about 28, my sister passed on their carcases to a friend that was rehabilitating road injured wedge tailed eagles. The trouble is as I said they are intelligent and they learnt to peck the sea saw down and hop through and eat the bait then peck it down and escape other sparrows learnt from the others and it was hopeless. I must re-instigate it again and improve it as they are such a problem and make a mess on my fence and next to it where they check out the next door neighbours chook feed.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

WOW! NICE feeder sandman.
I wish I could make out but I just don't have the tools. Like really how many people have a proper wood work table saw that can cut fine angles and curved edges.

 

[sandman55]

Thanks cluckcluckluke, yes having the right tools helps. I have always been prepared to buy different tools because I worked on the principle that I would have them for the rest of my life and it has helped me at times. Also I am a tradesman and I have been fortunate to work with men of different trades and I have learnt from them. If your interested in one of these feeders there are manufactured ones available but I don't know what the cost is.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

My dad has many tools but not all of the essential ones that are required to construct this feeder.
A manufactured treadle feeder costs about $120-150 au so I'd rather go out and buy tools with that money and buy my own.
Maybe in the future perhaps. I already have a very nice bucket feeder that cost me $0.00

.

 

[sandman55]

Yes there are other feeders as long as the freeloaders are kept at bay

 

[HEChicken]

Where is your feeder located that you are having issues with sparrows getting into it? Before I moved I had a feeder that was out in the open and sparrows helped themselves all day long and it drove me nuts. But when we moved, I switched to a feeder that is mounted to the internal wall of the coop. The only opening is a pop door that is protected by a chunnel and I don't believe I've had a single wild bird navigate the opening to go inside and eat. I really think it looks like a trap to a wild bird, to go INTO a building, so they don't bother. Now the only wild animals I feed are mice and I'm currently waging a war with them that I appear to be winning