Wasted Feed

[Beekissed]

It could be done easily....just fiddle with it a bit.

 

[curiositykt]

Here's what I came up with. It's a feed catcher and it catches almost every speck of beaked-out feed so none reaches the ground. I made them with quick-release fasteners so they detach quickly for a quick dump back into the feeder. I estimate these catchers save me several pounds of feed every week.

What a cute chicken sweater!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Beekissed... what is the smallest opening that I could use on the fencing? I'm thinking 1/2" hardward cloth be too small. Am I correct?

 

[chickencowranch]

I sat my feeder in a livestock feed pan this morning with the short sides. They were eating at it when I left this morning. There is room in the feed pan to put my grit as well around the bottom of the pan.

 

[Leahs Mom]

If you are currently using a trough style feeder, you can place a strip of welded or woven wire fencing over the top to prevent flicking and scratching....since I did that, no feed waste at all. I also placed my trough up on blocks to make it higher.

I'm kind-of interested in getting a trough style feeder for adults but all I can find is the chick size feeders. What size is the one you have and did you have to order it on-line or could you purchase locally?

 

[davony's chicks]

You are so awesome for sharing this engenious idea! You should market it!

Here is the catcher on the feeder. I like to use a stiff material so it retains shape. I suspect heavy denim would work fine, the sort they use for patio furniture and hammocks. I don't think my little Singer sewing machine could stitch through denim, though. It had no problem with the naugahyde. When it gets dirty, I just hose it off. It holds up real well to chicken feet and beaks. It gets heavy use.

Yes, I like to invent stuff. Since there is hardly any more research and development in large manufacturing companies, I've had to invent stuff I discover I have a need for. This idea could make me a bundle, I realize, but it stands little chance of ever being marketed due to today's corporate business model. Feel free to use it. It's free.

 

[Beekissed]

I'm kind-of interested in getting a trough style feeder for adults but all I can find is the chick size feeders. What size is the one you have and did you have to order it on-line or could you purchase locally?

For years I just used an old chicken trough I found in the old coop that was on the place. I used 2x3 welded wire over the trough and the openings are big enough to allow the hens to eat without causing them to abrade themselves with repeated use. I moved from there and sold all my equipment when I did...never knowing that one can't find those good old troughs any longer without paying an arm and a leg. I saw a short one of the same style at TSC and it was $24 and it was half the size of my old one. No way was I paying that!

Currently I am using a length of metal rain guttering that is screwed onto 2x4 feet that keeps it from tipping...picture a capital "I" with the 2x4s standing up on their small side and that is how it is put together. They are incredibly cheap and just the right size. You can even drill into them easily and zip tie your wire topper onto the trough if you don't want to wrap and bend the wire. This setup is pretty hardy as my wrestling, fighting, pushing, gouging and climbing CX are using it right now and it has taken a beating!

A 10 ft. piece of guttering cost, if I remember right, around $6-$8 and the 2x4s were scrap I had lying around. Easy and cheap trough style feeder that is tall enough to stay out of your bedding, light-weight enough to lift and move, easy to clean, and 10 ft. makes a heck of a lot of feeders for small flocks so if one wears out you can make more. You can easily cut the guttering with a sturdy pair of sharp scissors.

I like cheap solutions to common problems!

 

[Treehill Farm]

I use a rain gutter. The ends are supported by running them through the holes in the side of cinder blocks. If you need it real long, you can put a block in the center. I've used this for up to 100 pullets and it works well.

 

[mychickispedro]

is that a sweater on ur chicken

 

[MyTDogs]

I use a rain gutter. The ends are supported by running them through the holes in the side of cinder blocks. If you need it real long, you can put a block in the center. I've used this for up to 100 pullets and it works well.

Can you post a pic of this? I think I'd like the feeder higher that the lower hole and probably the upper is too high? What kind of birds are you feeding?

Thanks!