Wasted feed - layena crumbles aren't cheap.

[BCchick]

I have 23 hens and 2 ducks, and we go through a bag of Layena in around a week. They are eating more now that the weather is cooler, plus there's less grass and vegetation for them to eat.
But I have the opposite problems. My flock wasted so much more when we fed the pellets. They would toss them out everywhere. Much less waste with crumbles.

 

[Wynette]

Here's the feeder I've personally gotten the best results from (as far as no wasted feed) - and I've tried literally hundreds:

http://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=49684&criteria=poultry+feeder

The grille on this one prevents them from being able to flip their heads from side to side & flip feed out; in addition, there is a lip on the edge that directs feed BACK INTO the pan part if they ARE able to flip any around. I have seen ZERO feed on the floor since I began using this one - I do have it hung, it is probably 10" off the floor (I have large fowl).

 

[seminolewind]

Wynette, that feeder looks like it's worth a try as well. I like the height of the spokes, and the nice lip.

What does hanging a feeder do?

 

[Rosaleen]

Typically, they don't walk or poop in it if it's hanging.

 

[chuckeychickens]

We built boxes that are about two feet square, built from two-by-fours in a square attached to a square plywood bottom. So it's a shallow wood box that we sit our tray feeders in. When the chickens do their thing, spilling the feed all around, it just lands in the box and stays off the ground. They eventually eat all of it and it doesn't go to waste. I'll take some pictures and post them. It works very well for all age chickens.

 

[cmom]

I switched from crumbles to pellets and have much less waste.

 

[inputoutput]

Same issue. Mine just like to make a mess out of whatever I use. Switching back to pellets as soon as I'm finished this bag...

 

[hennyannie]

Quote:
I like that one alot, may be the next thing on my list to buys. Its also about the right size for my flock.
I also wanted to point out that if you start young chicks out on a feeder like this one, I think they pick up good habits and you have less messy hens later.
I always hang the chick feeder up as soon as they get active, I also put a cone on the top so they don't get started sitting on it.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

My girls waste some feed too, but when the feeder runs empty I don't fill it up right away. I leave it for a few days and let them clean up the stuff they wasted. Once they have cleaned up their mess I refill the feeder.

 

[Gypsi]

well, when I leave mine to clean it up, they just squawk a lot and don't lay as many eggs. I am thinking "fryer" if we don't improve. But the molting situation is a contributor I'm sure.