Wasting WAAAAAAY too much feed!!!!!!

[LittleBits]

Little bits, you said: I'm having the waste problem, too, and this is a great idea! Are those bolts w/ washers used for connection?

My husband suggested using them to keep the connection tight. So I pre-drilled a hole in the plastic bin and wood ski, put the washer down and put the screw through and tightened it.

Thanks! I did make the feeder. Here's a picture, but they can't get down in there enough, so I ended up lifting the lid - bye-bye food again! I saw a picture w/ 2" holes (a different type of feeder), and the chickens put their entire head down in it. Maybe that's what I need to do..
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[RoseMarie1]

What are you feeding? A mash? Crumbles? You could try wetting the feed with water. Chickens actually tend to like it and it is harder to spill and much less dust.

If you like the wet feed you would look into fermenting. I do not use a medicated feed so if you are, I am not sure if you can ferment that or not.

I wanted to do that with the water but am afraid it would sour before they ate it all and it would make them sick.

 

[RoseMarie1]

Here's a few pictures of my plastic shoe boxes with 'ski's turned into chicken feeders. Been almost two weeks and 25 chickens using them and the waste has gone to almost nothing. So far, no one has tipped one over.

They don't get over in this and poop in their feed? I am having fits with mine because their little heads got to wide to fit inside those little feeders you buy. So I had some plastic washing powder jugs I had many years ago for my ducks so I washed and cleaned those up to use for the chicks. They are hanging and the smaller ones will get INSIDE the things and stand and eat! ugh

 

[mistyfeather]

I started using a 7 lb. hanging feeder hung by a bungee cord, I use one that is the hight of their backs when it is full, as they eat it the bungee raises it, they can still reach the feed when it's at the highest point but I get absolutely no waste! and I can tell at a quick glance while busy that they need a refill!

 

[LittleBits]

get one of those long feeders with a lot of holes and screw it into a piece of plywood and put a little edge around it. this should catch the feed.

I made one of these, and thought about placing it in a long shallow trough, but they throw the feed 12-18" out. It's all over...

At least for the adults, we feed pellets for that very reason. We have found that crumbles get knocked out much more easily, and then they just get rubbed into the ground. With pellets, the chickens can actually see the spilled food and, if you take away the main food source temporarily, will usually eat it.

Might try pellets again - used them once and the chickens didn't seem to want to eat them like they did the crumbles. Do the pellets get broken up and rubbed around?

Little bits, you said: I'm having the waste problem, too, and this is a great idea! Are those bolts w/ washers used for connection?

My husband suggested using them to keep the connection tight. So I pre-drilled a hole in the plastic bin and wood ski, put the washer down and put the screw through and tightened it.

Our feeder is in the run under a shelter to keep off the rain - but I still may try this in the winter, if I put the food in the coop. It seems our chickens will stand in anything - when I left the lid to the feeder they jump right in, stand there, and eat - eat - eat! So far, though, no poop in the trough.

Abeall, you said: With these. Are there holes on the sides? Or do they just climb in or eat from the top? Also, is there a lid for it or do you have a waste problem in the feed?

No holes on the sides - they stand on the ground and reach in and eat. There can be 6 birds gathered round each box at a time easily. Because I keep the feed at half full, they don't toss it on the ground. The sides of the plastic boxes are too thin for them to roost on and so far, no one has walked into one - I think because the sides are high.

Like i said above, I think ours might just stand in there anyway. Each hen seems to want the choice spot to reach the feed... greedy girls.

I saw a post somewhere here about wetting the feed just a little - won't any residue start to mold?

 

[psychoroo]

I bought something similar to this at a yard sale:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Malibu-Creations-Ivy-Arbor-Bird-Feeder/22418988?findingMethod=rr

Works perfect. I hang it inside my brooder with a hook and chain so it can be raised as they grow. They can't get in it to mess up the feed and with 8 chicks I have to fill it every other day.

 

[Den in Penn]

LittleBits: yes the feed will start to mold if it sits. That is why its a good idea to feed only what they will clean up in a day, less the full amount of 1/4 pound a bird. When I wet their feed I only do about 1/8 pound per bird. The rest of their needs they have to eat dry or find it free range.

 

[seminolewind]

I don't waste any feed. 6 of these and 36 chickens.

 

[Abeall]

I have somewhat found a solution.. basically did what was suggested and put skis on the feeder containers. If they throw it out, eventually one goes along and pecks it up!

 

[julie55555]

I am having the same problem. I have a hanging feeder that I raised to shoulder height of chickens and didn't make a difference wasted feed every where.