So tired of the wasted feed...any ideas>?

[Rivka]

When I put the feed in their cups, they peck all out and it is under the cage so they can't get it, so they poop all over it.
Any better ideas for having free choice food? I was thinking of some of the cakes/flock block thing...any ideas to keep the crumble from going everywhere?

 

[Little Ameraucana Mom]

I drill holes in plastic containers, I"ve got one that is a 5 gallon bucket. This way they have to put their heads in to eat, and don't scratch it all out.
here is a pic of one I made

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Many folks give pelleted feed so that when they spill it to the ground it's easier for them to pick up.

Some feeders have little "fingers" around the pan, so they can't fling so much out with their beaks.

You can raise the feeder to the height of their backs, they may not spill so much out if they have to reach up.

Or you could cut 1x1/2 inch hardware cloth to make an insert for the feeder. It also prevents so much side to side billing of the feed. I put them in the rabbit-style drop feeders.

Or you could try wetting the feed a little so it's the consistency of oatmeal. I'd only wet enough for them to eat in a day, any longer & it might get moldy.

That's all I got.

 

[Rivka]

OOO! What a great idea!

 

[Equus5O]

Quote:
Chicky oatmeal! My girls love it! I spill some of their water onto the spilled feed, and it's a feeding frenzy.

 

[Wynette]

Please know that Flock Block is not intended as a food product; it's a treat product. I switched to pelleted feed long ago due to wastage; I went to the feed mill last weekend to get feed and they were out of pellets, so I went ahead and got crumbles...dumb move. It's been so much more wasted, it cost me more than if I'd have driven 20 mins. further to the other feed mill I have access to. Sigh...

 

[Rivka]

Again, thanks so much...

I did the wet thing tonight so I will see how that goes. I have some pelleted food I had put up cause my previous chickens would not eat it. But these are newer chickens so maybe I will try it.

 

[MIKE555444]

I have always beleived if you can keep the food away from the floor you fight the urge for the chickens to scratch and stir it around. After putting my feed up higher away from the floor they waste almost nothing.

 

[BioBob]

Hey Mike:

That is a clever nest box! Wish I'd have thought of it.

How effective are they?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Rivka]

I wetted their food with some milk and added some food grade DE. It worked great! Thanks for all the ideas!