Recomendations on how to keep chicks from kicking feed all over the brooder?

[Echelontheory101]

They are jumping onto the feeder and kicking backwards to pull all the feed out of their feeder. I dont really care about the mess since I just roll up the puppy pads when I change them but seems like a waste of food since theyre still really only eating out of the feeder and not the stuff they kicked onto the floor lol. I dont know that raising it would work cause they already jump up onto it to to scratch it out and some of the younger chicks are still too small to reach. (The feeder thats outside in their coop is one of the ones with the holes they have to stick their heads into so this wont be an issue once theyre outside)

The feeder does have fold out legs to raise it if you guys think that would work but open to suggestions!

 

[LuciferRoo]

I would raise it.

 

[nuthatched]

Remove the feeder and have them eat the spilled feed or limit how much you put in the feeder

 

[Echelontheory101]

I would raise it.

I tried raising it just now and the 4 day olds are too small still unfortunately I watched a couple try to hop up unsuccessfully and dont want to risk them not having food access whenever they want while theyre still so new BUT theyre growing like weeds so I bet I'll be able to raise it in another week.

 

[Echelontheory101]

Remove the feeder and have them eat the spilled feed or limit how much you put in the feeder

That's a good idea! theyve pooped all over it by the end of the day but I could remove the feeder in the morning and let them pick up all the mess until most of it is up and then repeat. The 2 week olds are the ones making most of the mess the little 5 day olds are just pecking at it haha. Hopefully everyone will be tall enough in another week that I can lift it!

 

[2 Acres]

I tried raising it just now and the 4 day olds are too small still unfortunately I watched a couple try to hop up unsuccessfully and dont want to risk them not having food access whenever they want while theyre still so new BUT theyre growing like weeds so I bet I'll be able to raise it in another week.

Try no feet on the feeder and put the feeder on a couple of 2x4's

 

[Echelontheory101]

Try no feet on the feeder and put the feeder on a couple of 2x4's

I just used the last of my laying around lumber on garden beds but I do have left over red bricks and that way instead of the legs the littles can hop onto the bricks to eat but I think that would just create a higher platform for the 2 weeks olds to stand on it and kick feed out haha but its worth a shot! Thank you! Sounding like maybe I'll just have to deal with it till everyone is tall enough to reach it with the feet down haha

 

[2 Acres]

I just used the last of my laying around lumber on garden beds but I do have left over red bricks and that way instead of the legs the littles can hop onto the bricks to eat but I think that would just create a higher platform for the 2 weeks olds to stand on it and kick feed out haha but its worth a shot! Thank you! Sounding like maybe I'll just have to deal with it till everyone is tall enough to reach it with the feet down haha

If you have any 1x4's that might work too temporarily.

 

[Echelontheory101]

If you have any 1x4's that might work too temporarily.

I probably have some scraps in the garage, ill have to take a look in the morning. Thank you!

 

[ella2025]

Get one of these feeders. What I have experienced with the basic feeders that kind of look like your chick feeder is that the feed is at the same level as the opening (if you know what I mean, it's hard to explain), the chicks can super easily bill (and scratch) a ton of the food out. The whole bottle gets wasted within a day. Ever since I got this exact feeder it got a lot better. Try hanging it very low, but still off the ground using a stick/string. They have to JUST BARELY be able to reach it and eat from it comfortably. If it's below the chicks' neck level then raise it. I've had no more problems with chicks getting feed everywhere ever since I got this feeder and kept a close eye every couple days as they grow to raise the feeder.