Why hanging feeders?

[Kensfarm]

I noticed while browsing the forums here and some google pictures of coops, that almost all of them had feeders and waterers that where hung up off the ground. I have never seen this before and I didn't do that with my last batch of chickens.

What is the reason to hang them?

In the past I had used an old rubber pan (used to be for a pig dish, cause he couldnt destroy it) to put layer pellets in daily. Otherwise I threw scratch and scraps on the ground for the chickens to eat. As for the water I just placed that on a stepping stone, because the ground became soggy and muddy and the stepping stone helped keep it a bit cleaner.

I'm just wondering how much better it is to hang the feeders than what I did.

Thanks

Ken

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yes, hanging is a method. It prevents dumping over and filling it full of litter when they scratch about.

 

[LindsayB]

When you hang the feeders it just keeps everything cleaner in my opinion. They won't kick as much dirt/poo into the food and water and ants can't get to the food.

 

[Lesa]

There always seems to be one or two chickens who think it is great fun to stand on feeders/waterers and poop!! No scratching with a hanging feeder, less waste...

 

[Kensfarm]

Quote:
oh ants!

I did have an ant problem once before with the feed, didn't think much of it at the time. I thought the hens enjoyed pecking at them all. I don't really want to attract ants here though, they are very annoying in this house.

Thanks

 

[Rennie]

My new 7 week olds water container is a pain in the ass to keep clean so i decided to hang it today .. Hopefully it will save me cleaning the darn thing 20+times a day

 

[Kensfarm]

Ya know most of you stated they scratch the food everywhere. I don't remember this being a problem with my last batch of chickens.

These ones I have now, almost istantly when I fill the feeder, they stick their feet right in the little holes and scratch out the entire resevior of chick starter.

Is the hanging method recommended for chicks too? or do I have to just deal with this until they move into a coop with hanging feeders? They are so small I dont think I'd be able to hang it but more than a couple inches off the ground, or they wont reach it.

 

[crookedcreekranch]

I set my chick waters and feeders on top of boards in the brooder. As the chicks grow, I change out the boards to taller ones. It helps alot as they are off the ground so the shavings don't just fall in.

 

[mdbokc]

Even for the chicks, put the feeder part as high as their backs. It is a lot harder to scratch out the feed when raised. Mine have to stand straight up to reach the feed. Almost eliminated the feed on the floor.

 

[maclady]

I started to hang my feeder when I got tired of them scratching all the chick crumbles out into the bedding. I have it hanging in their coop now and it is working great so far. They still manage to get some on the floor but no where near what they use to. I hung the waterer when I got tired of cleaning it every 2 hours because they would scratch bedding or dirt into it. Now I only have to clean it about twice a day. Somehow they still sometimes manage to get dirt in it.