Question about my PCV Pipe feeders

[Mamachic1967]

Over 3 weeks we installed PCV Pipe feeders on the chicken coop wall to change from a feeder on the floor to avoid them pooping in the food. The first week they ate out of both of them. For the past week or so they are refusing to eat out of one and eating all the feed in the other. It is exactly the same pipe, same feed, same height off the floor. I even showed them how I took feed from the feeder and put it into the one they won't eat from. Still nothing. Why are they not eating from one feeder and not the other all of a sudden? Does anyone know why?

 

[barneveldrerman]

Maybe the chickens were spooked near that feeder and are scared of it. The chickens mind is very unpredictable. Other than that I can't think of anything else. I am also sorry that it took you this long to get an answer.


Hope this helped!

 

[Mamachic1967]

That does make sense. i spent a lot of time the last couple of days taking feed from it and a few came and ate from my hand. they seem to prefer one over the other but they are eating from the 2nd one now. Thanks for your message.

 

[RJSorensen]

There is a 'chicken' rule that states that you must have at least one more (feeder/waterer/nest box/etc.) than you need, simply because the birds can, or seem to be able to count and they plot and plan late at night to frustrate bird keepers. It is truly a cosmic thing… we are just learning of it now.

Well that is how it is around my place. I have just submitted to the cosmos, and pay my fine. You will find that regardless of the work/math/figuring things out, you just need to plan on having an extra in place that will not be used. I do get even somewhat, by not filling the 'unused' item any fuller than they can see. That amounts to the best I can do. Your milage may vary.

Best to you and your birds,

RJ

 

[Mamachic1967]

Thanks RJ for your message. I enjoyed the humour. I think an extra one would help. Guess the ladies are testing me. They are eating from both but favour the one more. Silly girls. I was thinking of adding a 3rd feeder, so guess that's the new plan. Thanks again!

 

[tdepointe]

You just cannot figure why chickens do what the do when it come to feeder and waterers. I have toe hanging waterers, both made with 2.5 gal. buckets with 4 nipples on the bottom. One is at and average height for chickens the other is set low for the chicks maybe 6 inches of the ground. The adults refuse to us the higher one once I added the low one. They practically have to lay on the ground to use it. I keep them both filled and figure one day they may decide to use the other again.

 

[Mamachic1967]

Now that made me laugh! Chicken behaviour has got to be the most baffling! They definitely continue to teach us with their antics! Oh, but we are the smarter ones! We always figure it out. . . eventually!