Warning: Chickens got squashed/died by treadle feeder

[MapleLaurelFarms]

I'm so very sorry this happened, but I really appreciate you sharing so others can be aware of this possibility.

We have a different brand and it's shorter and wider (and I suppose more stable) because we've never had them tip. However, we have them on blocks and added nonslip mats between the blocks and feeders because they tended to shift when getting close to empty.

I'd prefer to not attach the feeders to the wall so I can easily move them for refilling and cleaning, but after reading your story, I may add a brick on top of ours. I'm not sure I'd do that if I still thought there was a possibility of tipping because a falling block or brick could also be a serious hazard.

Thanks again for posting your experience!

 

[Al Gerhart]

Just a reminder, if a treadle feeder DOES NOT come with a bracket to attach it to a wall or post, RETURN IT! Brackets are cheap, costs 50 cents to make, you can just lift the feeder off the bracket to empty it or clean the feeder.

As this lady's Chooktread (sp?) treadle feeder showed us, they can tip over.

Past that, securing a feeder to a post or wall dampens a lot of the vibration from the door shutting and sometimes it will shake down too much feed into the lower feed tray and lead to feed raking.

Put your treadle feeders on solid bases made of patio blocks, secure it with the provided bracket, and follow the instructions to the very letter for safety reasons. Blocking the side access using milk jugs of sand or dirt helps to force the hens to come in from the front. Choose the soft close function for the feeder and if they don't have it, consider if this company cares about your money or your hens. Some of us raise meat birds losing one isn't like losing a pet so we can get by with the cheaper non soft close feeder in those one in a million accidents.

 

[Bawkbok]

Just a reminder, if a treadle feeder DOES NOT come with a bracket to attach it to a wall or post, RETURN IT! Brackets are cheap, costs 50 cents to make, you can just lift the feeder off the bracket to empty it or clean the feeder.

As this lady's Chooktread (sp?) treadle feeder showed us, they can tip over.

Past that, securing a feeder to a post or wall dampens a lot of the vibration from the door shutting and sometimes it will shake down too much feed into the lower feed tray and lead to feed raking.

Put your treadle feeders on solid bases made of patio blocks, secure it with the provided bracket, and follow the instructions to the very letter for safety reasons. Blocking the side access using milk jugs of sand or dirt helps to force the hens to come in from the front. Choose the soft close function for the feeder and if they don't have it, consider if this company cares about your money or your hens. Some of us raise meat birds losing one isn't like losing a pet so we can get by with the cheaper non soft close feeder in those one in a million accidents.

Always good advice from you on treadles and it sounds like you have tested your feeders for every possible failure. It's a shame not all companies /entrepreneurs are not as conscientious.