Throwing Feed on the Ground

[Sarahfig]

Hi all! I am a new chicken owner of 6months. I have 11 chickens. I have tried a basic feeder, then a bucket with rodent waste proof inserts to feed my chickens but continue to feed the wild birds and rats more than my chickens. I've heard of people throwing out feed for the chickens twice a day. I'm at my wits end. I continue to bring the buckets in at night and store my food in metal bins, but more and more food keeps disappearing and more and more rat holes are appearing. Do any of you all feed your chickens that way? And what other advice do you all have to prevent feeding the birds and rats more than my chickens.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I have a cover run and my coop and run are predator proof so nothing can get it.
Another option is poison, which I’m not a fan of because your birds could eat a dead rat that died of poison.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do you have a run or are the chickens free ranging in the yard? A run securely covered on all sides, aproned, and topped with 1/2" hardware cloth or welded wire would exclude everything but the tiniest mice.

 

[Sarahfig]

We hava a 40x100ft fenced in run. It would be quit an undertaking to cover and skirt it. I was hoping to avoid that, but I understand that's the most secure way to keep unwanted animals out.

 

[RojoMarz]

I use a Ratproof Feeder to keep chipmunks and birds from dining.

 

[Sarahfig]

I use a Ratproof Feeder to keep chipmunks and birds from dining.

Could you tell me what brand or product you bought?

 

[RojoMarz]

Could you tell me what brand or product you bought?

When you click on Ratproof Feeder it takes you to the webpage. I bought that exact feeder from @Al Gerhart's company.

 

[Sarahfig]

When you click on Ratproof Feeder it takes you to the webpage. I bought that exact feeder from @Al Gerhart's company.

Thank you! Just bought one and hoping it helps.

 

[RojoMarz]

Thank you! Just bought one and hoping it helps.

Follow the directions, when training the chickens. Other "grandpa" feeders say to prop the door open, but Ratproof Feeders does not recommend that.