Our chickens are messy eaters...suggestions?

[Wolfgang B.]

Our 5 girls are making the biggest mess every time we refill the chicken feeder. They end up eating it all anyway because we brush it off the ground and put it back into the feeder but it seems to me like that's unnecessary work.

Is it the type of feeder we're using? Are there better ones out there? Or can I modify our current one? Any tips will be appreciated.

 

[Toctoc]

Are they picking out their favorite stuff and leaving the rest? Mine do that sometimes, not sure if another feeder would help if that's what they are doing. I am still new to all this though.

 

[AlleysChicks]

Can you move it higher off the ground? If they can get their feet in it then they will kick it out.

 

[Wolfgang B.]

Are they picking out their favorite stuff and leaving the rest? Mine do that sometimes, not sure if another feeder would help if that's what they are doing. I am still new to all this though.

They might be doing that, yes, but in the end they it it all anyway. I tried some other feeds before and it seemed like they didn't like everything in it. The one we're feeding to them now seems to be right up their alley.

 

[Wolfgang B.]

Can you move it higher off the ground? If they can get their feet in it then they will kick it out.

I've watched them do it before and they are pushing it out with their beaks actually. :/ It looks adorable but my wife is stuck with the cleaning up in the morning. Lol

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

You can try putting chicken wire over the area where the food is. They can't scratch or shovel it as easy.

https://www.tillysnest.com/2012/09/outsmarting-chickens-at-feeder-html/

It's worth a try before having to buy a new feeder.

 

[AlleysChicks]

I've watched them do it before and they are pushing it out with their beaks actually. :/ It looks adorable but my wife is stuck with the cleaning up in the morning. Lol

Ah mine have done that a few times. I ended up putting a pan out also with food in it and they stopped.

 

[SueT]

They will "beak out" what they don't like, but if they eventually eat it all, I guess it's okay. What kind of feed is it? If you get crumbles, or pelleted feed, it's all homogeneous and they don't dig thru it. I have had to do that, no more wasting feed.

 

[Squishychicken]

Mine used to do this and so I started fermented feed no more messes and easier to do.

Less feed eaten and wasted.plus it's healthier

 

[getaclue]

If you get this bucket, and the corresponding lid :http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leaktite-5-gal-70mil-Food-Safe-Bucket-White-005GFSWH020/300197644 This for the bottom: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-17-in-Clear-Plastic-Saucer-VS17HBDI/204400779 and a bolt (not too long) with a nut to connect the bucket, and bottom Use a larger hole saw bit, and make quite a few holes on the side, at the bottom of the bucket. Drill a hole, of the appropriate size for the bolt, through the bottom of the bucket, and bottom of the clear saucer. Screw in the head of the bolt through the bottom of both pieces, then tighten the nut onto the bolt inside the bucket. You can put a clean plastic funnel, upside down, into the bucket to help dispense the feed, OR I partially filled a Gator Ade bottle with water, put the lid on it, and set it upright in the center, inside the bucket. I set mine on 2 bricks that I pulled together. The whole things costs less than $5.00 to make, and I have very little wasted feed.