Reducing feed waste from PVC pipe feeders

[chezpoulet]

Here are some pics- I put two screws in to secure the sewer cap onto the PVC pipe. I simply cut a little rectangular notch in the PVC pipe for the feed to flow. Not a very good job, since I don't have any fancy tools- just used a wire cutter and snipped bits off until I was satisfied.

 

[70monte]

Ok, thanks. That looks pretty good.

Wayne

 

[cabincrazyone]

Quote:
So (at the risk of being redundant) are you saying that with the feeder set fairly high and with the rubber collars, that the waste is very slight and you are happy?

 

[chezpoulet]

That is correct. "Before collar", I had to refill the feeder every other day. Now I am refilling every 3-4 days and there is hardly any spillage in the catch tray I placed under the feeders.

 

[Redley]

chezpoulet, Do you find that the feed clumps with the collar? Do you use crumble or pellet? I'm trying to figure out which feed to get, crumble or pellets...
All - with the Y attachment - do you feel that the collar & plastic cookie sheet with holes cut out wastes less feed than the PVC with the Y attachment? I'm fluctuating between these two feeders. Maybe doing the Y attachment (so it will clog less) and then putting the plastic cookie sheet with holes over the Y attachment. Your thoughts???

 

[70monte]

I modified my "y" pvc pipe feeder by putting a round piece of heavy duty cardboard with a 2 1/2" hole cut in it inside the hole they eat out of. It has reduced the waste but I'm not sure if my Rooster is eating since his comb is quite large. The feed doesn't flow down the tube as well as before since the chickens can't dig into the feed like they used to. I'm still deciding on what to do. I like the concept of the pvc feeders but I don't like the waste and I'm not sure if my modification is going to work with the rooster or not.

Wayne

 

[Redley]

Quote:
Wayne,
Do you have a pic?
What type of food are you using, crumble or pellets? Do you find that crumble or pellets flow better down the PVC tube?
Maybe the collar thing that chezpullet did will work for your rooster? Looks pretty high tech....high tech for chickens that is

 

[chezpoulet]

Quote:
OK I am still using grower crumble, and this afternoon I checked the feeder, and it was half full- so the chicks (well they are about 9 weeks old by now) must have been eating the crumble without trouble- and there was very little spillage that I could see. You do have a point regarding pellets, which is probably what I would like to switch them to once I am done with the rest of the 50 pounds of crumble. So I don't know if the collar will work with the pellets. Perhaps the notch I cut for the pipe will have to be enlarged to compensate.... My coop is so small that I am trying to maximize space so the straight tube PVC feeders work well for me.

 

[SeattleChickenHead]

Theres also such thing as WHOLE GRAIN FEED it does have some dust or crumble in it, but mash and pellet are not the only types of food....nice collar idea btw

 

[cabincrazyone]

I wonder is mixing some whole grain feed in with the pellets would make the mix flow into the feeder better?