When to change out feed.

[The Coop Crew]

Quick question!
I keep food out for my chicks 24/7 (they’re 8-9 weeks old). I clean out all of the wood chips, ect every day but how often should I be emptying out the entire feeder and cleaning it? I feel like I would be wasting a lot of food because one of my girls gets mash three times a day and the others eat it too so I don’t feel like they eat a ton of regular dry food.
Thanks!

 

[FrostRanger]

Whenever it's empty I suppose. I clean mine occasionally but I do tend to leave a lot of food out so I only need to fill the big feeders maybe every month and a half so far

 

[The Coop Crew]

Whenever it's empty I suppose. I clean mine occasionally but I do tend to leave a lot of food out so I only need to fill the big feeders maybe every month and a half so far

That’s what I’ve been doing but I refill it when it gets low so it’s never empty so I’m not sure what to do haha. It’s always dry and clean so maybe it’s fine

 

[FrostRanger]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just do it every now and then when you remember if for no other reason than to get rid of the excess dust

 

[FrostRanger]

Also, don't throw out the feed dust, fermenting it is a good way to make use of it so it doesn't go to waste. Did that when I was down to the very last bits last time I refilled the feeders and they had "treat time" for the next couple of days

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Just keep refilling it unless it gets exposed to liquid. If damp/wet then clean out the feeder to prevent mold otherwise there is no need to waste good food if they are rotating through it.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I clean my brooder between kicking one set of chicks out, and moving a new set in - or if it starts to smell like sourdough.

 

[The Coop Crew]

Just keep refilling it unless it gets exposed to liquid. If damp/wet then clean out the feeder to prevent mold otherwise there is no need to waste good food if they are rotating through it.

Okay perfect! That’s what I was thinking but I wanted to be sure I wasn’t doing something wrong

 

[The Coop Crew]

I clean my brooder between kicking one set of chicks out, and moving a new set in - or if it starts to smell like sourdough.

Now when I make sourdough I’ll be thinking about brooders

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Now when I make sourdough I’ll be thinking about brooders

My birds frequently spill a lot of feed, and a lot of water - and I often serve as a wet mash anyways, so... there is definite potential for it to start to ferment in corner somewhere. Not objectionable, but not the end goal, either.