I’ve looked through his posts-
I don’t have a rat problem here, but I certainly have a mouse problem.
And squirrels.... although the squirrels have not (yet) breached any of my coops.
Any thoughts on how to train the critters to the treadle feeders?
I have turkeys and ducks. No chickens. But changing feeders is a known problem, esp w the turkeys.
Also. Do you know how big the birds need to be to make the feeder open?
I’d love more info. But. I also don’t want to starve my birds while trying to starve out the rodents....
Hate to think that the birds might not figure it out.... but. I would like some feedback before making the investment
I wish everyone was as cautious as you are when it comes to spending hard earned money.
Training the birds is easy IF you follow the instructions and have full size hens or mostly full size hens. The lid swings in, not up and over their head like the Chinese made guillotine style feeders like the Grandpa feeder or the other Chinese made clones.
The feeder HAS to be rock solid, no wobble or wiggle when a six pound hen jumps on the treadle. Secure it to the wall with the included metal cleat, you can lift it off for cleaning but have it snugged up to a wall or post. No bungee cords, use a wire or rope if you have to tie it in place.
You need three patio blocks under it, two for the feeder and another to give a landing spot for the hens to walk up on and to stand on so one foot can pin the treadle down while they stand on the other foot. Block the side access, concrete blocks or gallon jugs of water, make em come in from the front of the feeder.
With the feeder rock solid the birds feel safe using the feeder.
Next remove ALL other feed, never, ever, ever, break down and feed hens while training other than using the treadle feeder. Doing so teaches your flock that all they gotta do is wait and they will be fed. No old feed in deep litter, no free range, no snacks or treats unless you toss them the front of the feeder to entice a hen to use the feeder.
Never EVER block the treadle open. You are teaching them the lid isn't supposed to move while they use the feeder.
Adjust the springs to just barely close the door at first. Later you can increase the spring tension to keep the squirrels out. We have a new option coming out later this week, a threaded rod adjusted spring tension system. Very easy to adjust to the exact tension needed for your birds.
The size of the bird, at least three pounds so it has both the weight and the reach to get to the feed once they have the treadle pinned down. The feeder works because of the spring pressure holding the door closed AND putting the narrow treadle way back away from the feed. Read the negative reviews on the other feeders, mice get inside, there is no spring loading on the doors, they just push the lid open and crawl in easily with those big honking wide steps right next to the feed. Do not use a treadle feeder with birds under a pound or a pound and a half, they can get trapped inside the feeder.
I've never kept turkeys but people in our reviews say their turkeys just push the treadle down with their breast muscles. We have a turkey step that helps but you need stiffer spring tension to balance out the door/treadle and of course making the step wider makes it less rat or squirrel proof unless you have a specific feeder set for turkeys and a lot of spring tension set.
The birds are rarely the problem when someone emails asking for help. Every time once you get pictures of the installed feeder they didn't understand or understood but refused to follow the instructions. Once you fix the installation problems the birds quickly learn.
You will not starve a chicken unless you short circuit the process by hand feeding or simply refuse to take advantage of 13 years of our experience in selling and using this feeder.
There are plenty of online independent reviews of our feeder. Google the name of our feeder and add the key word reviews and you will find them. Find our website that ends with .net, tons of info there. The shopping cart has reviews too, that site ends with .com.
Stay skeptical!
