Dai and Antonia Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 We have fairly recently acquired three new hens to replace our last two, which had a relatively long and happy life before being got by a fox. Our last two hens each had different eating habits - one would eat straight from the omlet feeder, the other would pull as much as she wanted from the feeder onto the floor and eat it from there. THESE ones all pull as much food as they can from the feeder onto the ground - more than they need, and in this weather, it is turning to mush and getting wasted. We're really getting through the feed, and I'm certain that Mr Rat is soon going to make a return visit! Any ideas? Or perhaps it has been written about already on the forum and you can give me a link (I can't find it). Thanks! Antonia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I have the same problem with one of my girls, she seems to stick her head and scoop loads of pellets, sometimes the other two eat what's on the floor, sometimes they don't. Very annoying. I first noticed her doing it after I put some bokashi bran in with the pellets, so I was wondering if she was searching for the Bokashi, but know it doesn't seem to matter if there's anything added or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Mine did this, but I noticed after I'd put the feeders a bit lower than the omlet man showed me that they seemed to make less mess. Worth a try? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I've heard some folk put a tray (attached somehow to prevent tipping up!) under the grub? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ails Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 A thread I looked at yesterday recommended plastic 'no spill coop cups' which have a rim round the edge to prevent spillage - the hook onto the side of the run. Perhaps they might help if I can find the thread again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ails Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Found the link. The cups themselves are really cheap but the postage is a bit steep unless there are other things you need to order! http://regencypoultry.com/cagecups/antispill.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I use a hanging feeder - it has comb like bits all around the eating area to stop them putting it all on the floor - it certainly has done the trick here. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoebe Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 there is another thread on this which talks about chickens spilling pellets, from a couple of days ago. Mine are getting worse and worse at it, but I do agree with the advice I was given, which is that if you don't fill up their grub immediately it gets low, they will finish up the stuff on the floor ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewhitehouse Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Mine defintely chuck the pellets out to get to the bokashi. I now serve that separately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoebe Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I think I'll try separate serving in that case; its certainly a recent development, as is the bran, so the two may well be connected. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai and Antonia Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 Thank you so much for all your suggestions. We previously tried putting the feed lower down but that didn't seem to daunt them, so we're going to go for the tray suggestion first... Antonia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai and Antonia Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 ...although...Tracy, where did you get your feeder?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fur 'n' Feathers Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 We've had exactly the same problem that started recently, although we've had the hens 10 months. It was definbately the Bokashi they were after as it only happened when that was added! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 I got fed up with my three tipping over the feeding trough that we bought one you can hang up. They have only knocked it down once but I think this was because it was empty (I think the fixings might have been loose too as the washers and spring had come off). And I have to say it's worked out brilliantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 I've heard some folk put a tray (attached somehow to prevent tipping up!) under the grub? We do this when the run is on grass, DH has drilled a hole in 2 opposite corners of a long plastic tray (like you stand plants pots on on a window sill) & put a 4in nail through each hole, which are then pushed into the ground. This stops the little monsters turning the tray up & spilling the food again Since they went onto the hard base, we've been giving them mash porridge in ceramic dog bowls, which they don't seem to tip up. They still have the grub of pellets on the run, but manage to keep their food in the grub, I think, as they aren't so famished when they eat from it. I suppose tomorrow they throw food everywhere because I've said this..... Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai and Antonia Posted February 2, 2009 Author Share Posted February 2, 2009 Well, the tray underneath the grub bowls is working quite well so far... Dai used the plastic top of a propagator with a brick to the back of it to keep it from tipping over, and it seems to be catching the food nicely. Thanks for all the advice! Antonia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordelia Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 when mine moved onto layers pellets, I put them on the Organic layers which I'd got, and they threw it all over, they never did this with the growers pellets.. if I put something else in, they threw the pellets everywhere in an effort to get the treat Now I've changed to a different brand of pellet, and I dont get this problem...(plus I never add a treat in with the pellets, they have that in a seperate bowl) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoebe Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 thewhitehouse said Mine defintely chuck the pellets out to get to the bokashi. I now serve that separately. Since I have started putting bran in separate pot, chucking pellets all over the floor has stopped being a problem. Thanks very much for the advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I've found moving the grub higher has stopped them spooning it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
