They're wasting 40 lbs of food!!!

[cjeanean]

I have a 5 gal bucket with holes in the sides set into an oil pan. This is what I've been using as my feeder. My chicks are a good three months old, and the edge of the oil pan is about 6 inches off the coop floor. I just filled their bucket up yesterday with about 20 lbs of food, and it's already almost all gone (I have 20 chickens out there) QUITE A BIT is all over the floor. What the heck can I do to get them to stop wasting it all???? Feed is expensive!!!!!!!!! Thanks!!

 

[silkiechicken]

Try raising the feeder so they have to stretch to get feed.

 

[Katy]

I'd hang the feeder. If I hang mine about shoulder heighth they can't shove it out so easily. I raise my chicks feeders as they grow.

 

[cjeanean]

I was wondering if maybe I should just feed them three times a day instead of giving them free access to the food....the ppl in chat suggested I don't put so much in, but the last time I tried that they had 5 lbs instead of 20 scattered across the floor and they wanted more....

 

[SoccerMomof7]

Quote:
How do they eat?

 

[cjeanean]

Quote:
How do they eat?

I think she meant chicken shoulder LOL!!!

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Yes, raise the feeders. However, there are some girls who'll insist on throwing food left and right no matter how high you raise them. Once my girls were older, I switched them over to pellets and have wasted FAR less food.

 

[SoccerMomof7]

Having a blonde moment, but I just couldn't figure out how they were flying and eating at the same time. (LOL!) Anyways my chicks waste sooo much food everyday. I think they waste more then they eat. I can't find a container small enough for my 6 chicks that I can hang.

 

[hooligan]

I have to agree with everyone on here. Raise the feeder and switch to pellets as soon as you can. Mine waste MUCH less now with pellets

 

[Katy]

Quote:
How do they eat?

I think she meant chicken shoulder LOL!!!

Yes, I meant their shoulders....not mine!

They have to stretch to reach it a little, but they can still eat just fine.