My chicks are jerks - help with PVC feeders

[Tooshay89]

Last week, my husband built a couple of 4 inch PVC pipe feeders and installed them in our coop. Our chicks are 4 weeks old, so I'm not sure if this will still be an issue as they get bigger, but within a few hours of installation, our 7 chicks managed to kick out ALL of the food that was in the feeders. Maybe it tastes better after they poop on it? Maybe they were searching for a free prize like in the cereal boxes? I have no idea, but like I said, they're jerks.

I've seen other PVC feeders with some kind of half moon shaped piece to keep the feed from being kicked out, but I'm not sure what piece is. Any ideas to keep the feed IN the PVC feeders instead of on the floor??

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Last week, my husband built a couple of 4 inch PVC pipe feeders and installed them in our coop. Our chicks are 4 weeks old, so I'm not sure if this will still be an issue as they get bigger, but within a few hours of installation, our 7 chicks managed to kick out ALL of the food that was in the feeders. Maybe it tastes better after they poop on it? Maybe they were searching for a free prize like in the cereal boxes? I have no idea, but like I said, they're jerks.

View attachment 1438248

I've seen other PVC feeders with some kind of half moon shaped piece to keep the feed from being kicked out, but I'm not sure what piece is. Any ideas to keep the feed IN the PVC feeders instead of on the floor??

OMG! That is a mess!

 

[SurferchickinSB]

D41D4B0F-508B-423E-BDCD-3D843B785735

• SurferchickinSB
• Jun 13, 2018

The girls at their food, water, medication and food storage station.

I built a feeder out of 90 degree pvc elbows and a storage box with lid. It holds about 25 or more pounds of feed, but I keep most of it in separate gallon Ziploc bags inside the box. I only pour out about 5 pounds at a time because I don't want moisture to get in their food. I got the idea off of this site.

 

[snow5164]

I feel your frustration, but calling them names doesn’t help . They are searching for the best seed and there’s nothing you can do to stop it . I don’t like the design of those feeders , small birds can climb inside .

As far as a half cover , same place you got the pipe will have an end piece, cut it in half.. good luck

 

[featherhead007]

Yah, what Snow said!

 

[featherhead007]

Last week, my husband built a couple of 4 inch PVC pipe feeders and installed them in our coop. Our chicks are 4 weeks old, so I'm not sure if this will still be an issue as they get bigger, but within a few hours of installation, our 7 chicks managed to kick out ALL of the food that was in the feeders. Maybe it tastes better after they poop on it? Maybe they were searching for a free prize like in the cereal boxes? I have no idea, but like I said, they're jerks.

View attachment 1438248

I've seen other PVC feeders with some kind of half moon shaped piece to keep the feed from being kicked out, but I'm not sure what piece is. Any ideas to keep the feed IN the PVC feeders instead of on the floor??

They did that for the fun of it! They were probably bored!

 

[Killer Tomato]

Ha ha! I call my chickens names all the time! It's said with frustrated love, most of the time.

Even if all the feed is exactly the same material, I'm sure they were kicking it around, searching for the BEST morsel -- it's a chicken thing. You can't change instinct.

Your hubbie did a nice job on the feeders though! Very fancy.

 

[Kayla's Lunch]

D41D4B0F-508B-423E-BDCD-3D843B785735

• SurferchickinSB
• Jun 13, 2018

The girls at their food, water, medication and food storage station.

I built a feeder out of 90 degree pvc elbows and a storage box with lid. It holds about 25 or more pounds of feed, but I keep most of it in separate gallon Ziploc bags inside the box. I only pour out about 5 pounds at a time because I don't want moisture to get in their food. I got the idea off of this site.

I like this! My chicks are 4 weeks old and are making a mess with their food. What size pvc pipe should I use? Are there directions somewhere for this?

 

[featherhead007]

I have a compost pile that took one hour to fill. The flock can level it in 5 minutes!

 

[Scooby308]

I feel your frustration, but calling them names doesn’t help .

Lol, doesn't help them but does wonders for me. Everytime my NHR roo tries to flog me I yell at him "I'm going to eat your unborn children!" I don't think he gets it, but I always get a kick out of it.