Scared of new feeder.

[ocpoolguy]

Just made a feeder from a five gallon bucket. I have seen them on this site and u-tube. The chickens are so scared they will not go into or even get close to there run. I had them trained when I tap a hockey stick two times it is time to go in the run, there is a treat in there most of the time Banana leaf or something good. After adding the feeder I can't even chase them in there. I am almost sure the answer is they will get used to it but I don't want to go backwards. For now they are ranging in the back yard, they will go in the coop tonight. Please give your input.

 

[melloladies]

Is it hanging? I changed to a larger feeder, and they were all leery of it- so i set in on the ground for 2 days directly under where it would hang. After two days, they hardly noticed the 8" jump upwards

 

[ocpoolguy]

Yea it is hanging, I just put a banana leaf behind the feeder so in the AM if they like they can jump out of there coop and walk past the scary feeder thing for the goods. I think I will take advise and put it on ground so the scary thing doesn't move.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:

sorry no advice but this got me to grin

 

[Ole rooster]

It's my understanding chickens see in color. Could be they don't care for the shiny blue. Try wrapping it with something to change the color and see what happens.

 

[ocpoolguy]

This morning I was woken to the girls making all kinds of noise in there coop, by this time they are out in the run. I am guessing they were scared of the feeder. Crazy chickens! I am going to move it into the back yard where they don't need to get too close to that big scary thing. And that's a good point about the color, I will paint it the same brown the framing for the run is.

 

[speedy2020]

You just close the gate and don't let them out the run. Then put a line of feed from far to close toward the feeder. They will eventually get it. My treadder feeder painted in light blue color and don't any problem with it.

 

[aggie9296]

It does kind of look like an alien. They tend to get used to new things after a little while.

 

[Oregon Blues]

I think you are worrying too much, but if it makes you happy, take the feeder out. Put the chickens inside.

You go inside and close the door so they can't escape. Put the feeder back up. Leave and close the door without letting them out.

They will be eating out of it by morning.

My ducks don't like to go inside if there is anything new. I just make them go in and by morning, they have realized it isn't going to chase them.

 

[ocpoolguy]

Crazy chickens. With the feeder in the back yard they feed from it. Late afternoon all chicks in the run I started to move the feeder in the run. Holy Shomolly the chicks went crazy. Normally when I go in there it is with feed or goodies not with this thing they freked out like crazy. I was hit in the head by one or more. It is still in the back yard. And I didn't paint it brown yet