PVC feeder spilling feed

[LittleMissCountry]

I followed directions to make a PVC feeder, and everything was going great for about a week. Then last week, one day, I went out to let the chickens out to free range and the entire feeder was emptied into the run floor. I have two feeders up...one was still full. So I refilled it, and three days later, it was all over the floor again.
I am wondering if the chickens are doing it, or if when they eat, it is coming out too fast? I mean, physics says it shouldn't come out all at once, but I thought the purpose was to reduce waste. This is the feeder I made, but I used 2 inch, since I only have 4 chickens. (Dark out now, so I can't take a picture of mine). There are two feeders, but they only seem to eat out of one. Any ideas?

 

[HuskerHens18]

Is there any way they are scratching in it? My bantams are notorious for digging in any feeder, hanging ones included.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What type of feed are you using? It's possible that the chickens are emptying it out to look for preferred bits of food, if you use anything like a whole grain mash or have pellets/crumble mixed with things like corn.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

What type of feed are you using? It's possible that the chickens are emptying it out to look for preferred bits of food, if you use anything like a whole grain mash or have pellets/crumble mixed with things like corn.

Just straight crumble. Nothing mixed in. Do you think they are just getting used to it?

 

[LittleMissCountry]

Is there any way they are scratching in it? My bantams are notorious for digging in any feeder, hanging ones included.

They could be emptying it, but it would have to be with their beaks. I have it high enough that it is level with their heads, so they just reach right in.

 

[paneubert]

Is the run secure? If it is happening overnight.....it is almost certainly rats or mice.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I was thinking rats as well but they generally clean up feed as opposed to scattering it everywhere.

It is possible the chickens are making a mess because they're not used to the feeder and either enjoy playing around with the food or perhaps they prefer to eat it off the ground?

 

[blackdog043]

You can put a piece of PVC to extend the depth they have to stick their heads in, to make it deeper. The only problem I see with that though is, you used 2" PVC and they may scrape their combs. 3" PVC would be better to use, no matter how many chickens you have.

 

[Ohmyheart]

Mine use to do that. I took gorilla tape and put in on the bottom 1/3 of the opening. Now they don't play in it tossing all the food. After a bit the tape breaks down but then I found this and cut in in half then glued in into place.

 

[Ohmyheart]

I found a picture. I put just a little bit of tape on the edge because I was worried it would be rough on the girls.