Tired of feeding freeloaders

[Kelly Caudle]

I'm not talking about the chickens. So far I've tried three different types of feeders:

There was the very basic ports cut into the bucket feeder . . . which I quickly realized was feeding mice more than it was my chickens. I still use this when I have chicks that are too small to operate the newest feeder (we'll get there in a minute)

Then I tried this: https://a.co/d/0YZY6Ch , a port style feeder with high legs. It thwarted the mice simply because it was too high for them to reach, so they moved on. Then I witnessed the squirrels hanging from the top of the feeder and reaching in to get the goods while the chickens waited patiently for the squirrels to move on.

Then I switched to a treadle feeder: https://a.co/d/0YZY6Ch which seemed to work for awhile, but now the squirrels figured out how it works and they're apparently heavy enough to make it work . . . probably from all the chicken feed they've been eating the fat little varmints.

These seem to be the most common ones. Are there other feeders I'm not aware of that will keep out the wildlife? Chicken feed isn't cheap. If it's possible I'd like to find one that young chicks and full grown chickens can both use, but not feed every critter within 200 miles. Is there something I could add to the feed that squirrels, in particular, don't like that wouldn't deter the chickens from eating it? Mice aren't heavy enough (yet) to operate the treadle feeder, so squirrels are the current problem.

I have an open-air coop/run, so keeping things like mice and squirrels out of it is impossible. I thought about putting feeders in a plywood box with an automatic door, but that would still need to be open during the day so the chickens can still have access to it.

TIA

We have had a lot of problems with squirrels and finally purchased “the squirrelnator it has two entrances and no way out, it’s a good trap, had 4 on two hours, and you can move it all over, just add chicken scratch in the middle and they’ll find the way in, good luck hope you find something that works

 

[redinator]

We have had a lot of problems with squirrels and finally purchased “the squirrelnator it has two entrances and no way out, it’s a good trap, had 4 on two hours, and you can move it all over, just add chicken scratch in the middle and they’ll find the way in, good luck hope you find something that works

What about chicks getting trapped? Any issues there? Is it only a trap, or does it kill them?

ETA: Found this video:

incase anyone else is looking. The doors look small enough to prevent chicks at least 2-3 weeks old from getting trapped. It looks like a viable option if it turns out I need it.

 

[Bumacindy]

I'm not talking about the chickens. So far I've tried three different types of feeders:

There was the very basic ports cut into the bucket feeder . . . which I quickly realized was feeding mice more than it was my chickens. I still use this when I have chicks that are too small to operate the newest feeder (we'll get there in a minute)

Then I tried this: https://a.co/d/0YZY6Ch , a port style feeder with high legs. It thwarted the mice simply because it was too high for them to reach, so they moved on. Then I witnessed the squirrels hanging from the top of the feeder and reaching in to get the goods while the chickens waited patiently for the squirrels to move on.

Then I switched to a treadle feeder: https://a.co/d/0YZY6Ch which seemed to work for awhile, but now the squirrels figured out how it works and they're apparently heavy enough to make it work . . . probably from all the chicken feed they've been eating the fat little varmints.

These seem to be the most common ones. Are there other feeders I'm not aware of that will keep out the wildlife? Chicken feed isn't cheap. If it's possible I'd like to find one that young chicks and full grown chickens can both use, but not feed every critter within 200 miles. Is there something I could add to the feed that squirrels, in particular, don't like that wouldn't deter the chickens from eating it? Mice aren't heavy enough (yet) to operate the treadle feeder, so squirrels are the current problem.

I have an open-air coop/run, so keeping things like mice and squirrels out of it is impossible. I thought about putting feeders in a plywood box with an automatic door, but that would still need to be open during the day so the chickens can still have access to it.

TIA

I so far have found nothing to keep the little rascals out of the feed. I do however find that when I get bird bread from my local bakery and I put enough out the little rascals are satisfied and do less damage as far as trying to get into my pens at night. I am feeding deer and my chickens the bread as well, so I figured why not the rats and other critters. I have a stray cat that comes at night to help with the rat issue and also draws them out for the owls to get. So, all and all its working. I also bring in any leftover feed and put back into my metal bins so that helps as well. My chickens and ducks are pretty fisty, so the rats seem to come out more at night, so I make sure I put the bread up front so that they are accessible to the cat and owl.

 

[Arrowen]

I'm not talking about the chickens. So far I've tried three different types of feeders:

There was the very basic ports cut into the bucket feeder . . . which I quickly realized was feeding mice more than it was my chickens. I still use this when I have chicks that are too small to operate the newest feeder (we'll get there in a minute)

Then I tried this: https://a.co/d/0YZY6Ch , a port style feeder with high legs. It thwarted the mice simply because it was too high for them to reach, so they moved on. Then I witnessed the squirrels hanging from the top of the feeder and reaching in to get the goods while the chickens waited patiently for the squirrels to move on.

Then I switched to a treadle feeder: https://a.co/d/0YZY6Ch which seemed to work for awhile, but now the squirrels figured out how it works and they're apparently heavy enough to make it work . . . probably from all the chicken feed they've been eating the fat little varmints.

These seem to be the most common ones. Are there other feeders I'm not aware of that will keep out the wildlife? Chicken feed isn't cheap. If it's possible I'd like to find one that young chicks and full grown chickens can both use, but not feed every critter within 200 miles. Is there something I could add to the feed that squirrels, in particular, don't like that wouldn't deter the chickens from eating it? Mice aren't heavy enough (yet) to operate the treadle feeder, so squirrels are the current problem.

I have an open-air coop/run, so keeping things like mice and squirrels out of it is impossible. I thought about putting feeders in a plywood box with an automatic door, but that would still need to be open during the day so the chickens can still have access to it.

TIA

Cayenne pepper. Mammals don’t like it but hens have no problems with it. I put a 2T to a 25kg sack. Does the trick.

 

[MotherHenCt]

I use the "Grandpas Feeder" The lid closes and the chickens need to step on the plate to open it. It goes by weight so I'm not sure if a squirrel can open it or if they could would they know how to operate it. (I don't have squirrels in the run, knock on wood) It does take about 2 weeks of training where the feeder remains open. Right now I'm training pullets on it. So it stays open, so at night I go out and put a piece of plywood and a brick on it and uncover it in the morning to keep critters out overnight. But after the 2 training is over it closes automatically after the chickens step away. I have 2 and love them. Very well made.