- Apr 29, 2014
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Good morning!
I have chicks that are almost 5 weeks old. They are about to make their maiden voyage to the coop this next week, but I've noticed that they are wasting a majority of their food. We have the basic hanging feeder with slots but it's not hanging, it's just sitting on some bricks for a little elevation. Any suggestions would be appreciated, as I'm watching in horror as they waste all of their organic feed.
On a side note, we started them with Eden Feed mash but North40 can't seem to stock it anymore, so we switched to Nutrena? Organic crumble and mixed it in with the mash so as to transition them. Could it be that they don't like the new feed? Trying to shoot for a minimum of 20% protein because we fed our last round of chicks Purina and ended up with a terrible feather picking problem. Had to start over with a new round of chicks.
Lastly, would love ideas for a space saver feeder design for the over easy coop (XL for 16 birds) would be wonderful. Looking to maximize their roaming space inside the coop, as our winters here are long.
Sorry for so many questions and many thanks, in advance!
Ana
I have chicks that are almost 5 weeks old. They are about to make their maiden voyage to the coop this next week, but I've noticed that they are wasting a majority of their food. We have the basic hanging feeder with slots but it's not hanging, it's just sitting on some bricks for a little elevation. Any suggestions would be appreciated, as I'm watching in horror as they waste all of their organic feed.
On a side note, we started them with Eden Feed mash but North40 can't seem to stock it anymore, so we switched to Nutrena? Organic crumble and mixed it in with the mash so as to transition them. Could it be that they don't like the new feed? Trying to shoot for a minimum of 20% protein because we fed our last round of chicks Purina and ended up with a terrible feather picking problem. Had to start over with a new round of chicks.
Lastly, would love ideas for a space saver feeder design for the over easy coop (XL for 16 birds) would be wonderful. Looking to maximize their roaming space inside the coop, as our winters here are long.
Sorry for so many questions and many thanks, in advance!
Ana
(maybe not that much, but a lot!). My feeders sound like yours, and they are hanging. Last year I switched to pellet style for the adults, and there’s so much less waste! Unfortunately that isn’t an option for chicks, so basically you are going to get waste.
the style feeder where the chicks have to stick their head into a slot/opening reduces waste? Or constructing some sort of catch tray underneath the feeder and pouring it back in?
