Naughty chicks won't stop knocking over feeder!

[ac3070]

Hi,

We have 4 chicks approx 5 weeks old that are INSISTENT that their feeder belongs on its side. It's a chick feeder with a 1-quart jar. It used to be on a platform but they kept knocking it off the platform so we tried it on the ground of the brooder but they keep knocking it over from the ground too.

How do you feed your chicks? What are the ingenious hacks to keep it from getting knocked down?

Thanks!
Alison

 

[TLWR]

Can you hang it?

 

[rlapierre]

It is best to hang a feeder so that don't happen plus it keeps them from pooping in it

 

[ac3070]

I don't know if we can hang it with the setup we have right now. I really need the coop to be finished so we can kick them outside!!! We could even run a heat lamp for a few days bc they are not fully feathered yet...


I'll see what my ingenious other half can figure out!

 

[bluto in mo]

I use a tray feeder

 

[Folly's place]

Use a bigger feeder, so it's too heavy to move. I use the larger galvanized feeders, and after the chicks are older, hang it up in the coop, with a lid so they don't jump in it. Mary

 

[azygous]

Everyone automatically thinks the way to keep chicks from perching on and overturning their feeder is to go bigger and heavier. I went the direct opposite and had tremendous success.

I took a plastic cup, (it originally contained some icing for store bought bake it yourself breakfast rolls) just two inches in diameter and an inch and a half deep, glued a couple of heavy metal washers onto the bottom and let them eat their fermented feed out of it. It is too small for them to perch on and they aren't compelled to try to wade through their food with their feet. It's worked splendidly.

As they grow, I just fill it up more frequently, and I can always add more of them if needed, especially with more chicks than I had last year.

And it doesn't cost anything.

 

[azjustin]

We screw the bottom of the smaller feeders to a good sized piece of plywood if they are insistent on knocking everything over.

 

[Rock Nana]

I block mine with bricks.

 

[debid]

I made a hanger out of wire and positioned the feeder at chest height. Not only were the unable to poop in it, they didn't kick shavings in their feed. Also, free because I already had spare wire.