Topic of the Week - Saving Money, Feeding Chickens

[Abriana]

I really love using a PVC feeder to keep the chickens from throwing food everywhere. In my last coop, I had 3" diameter pipe with a couple elbows at the bottom creating a U. It worked very well at not letting the chickens waste feed, but wouldn't stand up by itself and had to be attached to the wall. This time, I built one using 4" diameter pipe with a Y at the bottom, so that it has a flat base.

I have a PVC pipe feeder and I attach it with bungee cords to a metal stake. That way, I can put i wherever i want.

 

[DuckPro]

I'll try again.
It uploaded but when I posted it, it said "image jpeg" in a weird box.

 

[jbtcajun]

We have 500 chickens, two cows, three goats and a
Anatolian Shepherd to guard.
8 Acres of pasture that is cross fenced.
A half acre pen area.
The cows are pastured opposite the chickens and moved every two weeks.

There's a 300lb demand feeder that is full at all times. If it is allowed to run out feed consumption will increase for about 4 days.
The chickens enjoy free-ranging and spreading the cow manure looking for insects.
Handing in the trees are several 5 gallon buckets with holes drilled for meat scraps, fish off fall (home pond), and any dead animals we find on the place. Chickens can spot maggots falling from 20 yards, it's hallerous.

The cows enjoy the well fertilized pastor. All animals are healthy and seem to be happy.

We sell once a week at a near by farmers market where the customers appreciate our product and are willing to pay a premimum.
Cows are sold in halves where the three halves pay for ours.
It's nice when a Hobbie makes a good profit and provides food too.

 

[Askme42]

https://www.google.com/amp/www.instructables.com/id/PVC-Chicken-Feeder/?amp_page=true



Has worked really well for me so far.

 

[MrsAuberry00]

I have GOT to change my feeder. My chickens scatter so much feed all over the run that it's literally not even funny. I'd prefer something that's already made and ready to go over making something myself, but either way, it HAS to be very economical to purchase or make.

 

[MrsAuberry00]

I meant to add that I'm buying a 50 lb bag of feed about every week and half to two weeks for 5 hens and one cockerel! AND they all free range during daylight hours!

 

[Isaac 0]

I meant to add that I'm buying a 50 lb bag of feed about every week and half to two weeks for 5 hens and one cockerel! AND they all free range during daylight hours!

Thats not right.I have forty birds and they go through a bag a feed a week.What feed are you using?

 

[lazy gardener]

Mrs A, your birds should not be consuming more than 11# of feed/week. It's possible that some of your waste is occuring due to rodent, or possibly bird invasion. How are you storing your feed, and are you removing it at night? What are you using for feed, what are you serving it in, and are you adding anything to the feed? You might consider switching to fermented feed. They will derive better nutrition from it, it will enhance their gut health, and there will be NO waste. It can be fed in a large plastic dog feed bowl.

 

[Dayrel]

I'd prefer something that's already made and ready to go over making something myself, but either way, it HAS to be very economical to purchase or make.

Manufactured low-spill feeders (I've only seen one) are not cheap and depending on style, you may need to buy more than one. If you want less expensive, then that means either fermented feed (free, but ongoing effort) or home made feeders (relatively cheap + 1-time effort). Given the amount of feed you are currently using, you should be able to save enough to make up for the switch pretty quickly.

 

[AquaDuck]

I'm considering growing vegetables as supply to winter feed next year. I got around half an acre available, depending on how much work I want to give myself. Thinking carrots, rutabaga, maybe potatoes (boiled before serving of course). Live in a cold climate, so not much grows here. I do grow some kale already.

Anyone doing this? Is it worth it, and what's the best veggies for them?