HENthusiastic Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I've been worrying about the girls not getting their corn before bedtime (I'm not home before dark). I've had some, possibly daft ideas, my favourite of which was buying one of those cat bowls with timers on. I dismissed that on the grounds that one chicken would get prime position and pork out on all the corn, not sharing it with the others. Idea 2.... somehow attach the cat bowl upside down on the coop roof, then as it opens slowly it would sprinkle corn down into the run (walk in run) so they can all share. I dismissed this because I was worried about the possible risk of concussion! IDEA 3 Try to work out how much pellets the girls get through in a day........ load this amount into their feeder a day (they have one which you fill up and it goes into a little tray in the bottom for them to peck at). Then put a layer of corn on top. That way, in theory, they eat the days corn and then magically the corn feeder starts to provide corn instead (hopefully just before bedtime). Actually, I quite like the cat bowl on the roof idea now I think about it again What do you lot think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I love the cat bowl on the roof idea Brilliant "Look girls, it's raining corn!" I can just see them at the appointed time, standing underneath and staring expectantly at the roof! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Do you know HENthusiastic I was only thinking about this yesterday, must have been picking up your vibes! Love the bowl from the roof idea so will investigate further, thanks for the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorianGray Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I love the cat bowl on the roof idea Brilliant "Look girls, it's raining corn!" I can just see them at the appointed time, standing underneath and staring expectantly at the roof! Good call, but me thinks you perhaps read "Chicken Licken" once too often as a child... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toastedblue Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 here's an idea... it involves one of those solar garden lights, a solenoid (piston type), small hinge, container with lid, fixings and duct tape... because you always need duct tape for something as the sun goes down the solar light fitting switches on the light, this action could be used to opperate the solenoid piston this would be attached to the hinged lid, lifting it up so the chickens can get to the corn what do you think ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I put a layer in the middle not on top of the feeder. Even though it hangs from the top of the run roof if they know there is corn in it they manage to stretch up and eat it off the top, not out of the bottom tray! In the middle they get it out of the tray when they have eaten enough for it to feed through to the bottom. Even in the dark mine will come out for mixed corn in the evening, but I do have a security light that shines into their run. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judith67 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I am a naughty chicken mummy, in this dark hours of daylight i give them corn in the morning 4 days a week when we dont let them out.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I have tried the third option! It doesnt work.. The little darlings find a little of the fun corn under the layers mash, the then proceed to flick all the mash around untill they finish the corn. they even manage to get most of the mash out of the grub and onto the floor! Nice clean up for me to make sure i dont attract rats. they may look daft at times but chickens are smart at times! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 definatel the cat feeder tiied up on the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 perhaps its been a long day but I've just had hysterics at Idea Number 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I am a naughty chicken mummy, in this dark hours of daylight i give them corn in the morning 4 days a week when we dont let them out.... Me too. I don't get home from work til after dark, so my girls have their grapes - two each, a quatered apple each, and some scattered mixed corn first thing in the morning. There's also broccoli or a corn cob hanging in the run at all times, and a pecka block. The two that recently started laying don't seem to be adversely affected by this at all, I'm getting an egg a day from them both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 When you've set up idea no. 2 will you PLEASE post pics? The whole idea made me rofl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I love the cat feeder on the roof idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
