Torrential rain flooding run

[The Dogmother]

Jlo, I unravelled a wire coat hanger and used pliers to make a hook in either end. One end passed through the conical top of the feeder (comes separately) and the other through the mesh on the run roof - work of moments and a low-tech solution that really works.

 

Out of interest... how deep is your Aubiose? I only have about 1" (well, that's when they don't kick it around) but any deeper and it does get flicked into things.

[Steph101]

I have a large treadle feeder from ** flytesofancy**.

 

It is very good, and does stop the flicking issue. If filled to the brim, it will hold 10kg of feed.

 

It might solve your immediate problem.

 

Thanks Eglutine. That's the one I'm going to get.

[Steph101]

Have you considered a professional pet sitter? they neednt live in and can do one visit a day, thats what we used to do with the dog and cats and thats what we will do with the chickens too. A chicken friendly pet sitter would be hard to find but most normal ones wouldnt turn the money down and a quick 15 min crash course would answer most of their queries. We used to pay someone £7 a visit

 

As for a feeder the problem is not to get such a big feeder that it takes up a lot of room in the run as I take it they will be confined for the 8 days so a large floor standing feeder would not be ideal. If it was me I would go for the biggest gravity feeder (like the green and white one above) and hang it so they have ground space, a hanging feeder also stops a lot of the scratching

 

If necessary you could rig up a shute/pipe so that the feeder can be filled from a wide necked funnel via the pipe from above so the feeder could be filled without going in to the run if by any chance the food does run down, the green and white feeders are good because you can see the level easily and a small amount of food left in a small sealed container on top of the run could be the contingency

 

Another option is a leaflet drop in the area asking if anyone has a close by responsible teen who could help

 

Dont take offence at any comments, people are trying to help, I must admit I was a little surprised at your post as even you recognise that your proposed plan is not ideal

 

Not ideal at all, which I why I was asking for someone to come up with a better suggestion.

[Steph101]

Steph, have you thought about modifying the Cube end panel, as per this thread? I don't know how fit your mum is, she'd still need to lean in to reach the feeders, but I find that so much easier than trying to get them out through the door. I keep mine fastened with big pegs from Lakeland.

 

I always take some treats and chuck them up the far end of the run, so that I don't have chickens flapping around and trying to get out when I open the end panel. I do sympathise, luckily I have a chicken-loving friend who deputises for me, but she is too nervous to let the girls out when I'm away so I try and make it as easy as I can for her.

 

My mum is not particularly fit, bless her, but she looks after my children sometimes during the school holidays, so she's not too bad for her age. I think she'll be ok once I've talked her through everything. I'm going to leave a list of things to do. I've had a couple of people at work offer to pop in, but to be honest I've chosen my mum because I trust her the most! She's a very caring person, and won't leave anything to chance, but I just wanted to make things easy for her. I spoke to her last night, and she is going to sleep at our house, so they will be free ranging most of the time, same as they normally do.

 

I now chicken keeping is taking off in our area, it's a fast growing hobby, so I think eventually they will be more and more people who know what theya re doing. There is definitely a gap in the market.

[Steph101]

Don't worry, we didn't think you were abandoning them for 8 days . As I read it, your problem is your mum managing to get into the run to refill the feeders/drinkers .

 

Where do your feeders hang at the moment? Do you think they could hang on the door (or at least one feeder) so she can get easy access when she opens the door? If she's filling one feeder every 2 days, that should be fine and a watering can would fix the glug.

 

Also, do you hang your feeders quite close to the ground? I think the higher up the grub is the less they can flick the pellets about as they have to reach up with their necks.

 

Thank goodness. Don't want the chicken police knocking down my door.

Yes, I thought about hanging them on the door. But I want to s"Ooops, word censored!" the grubs I've got anyway, as they're not very efficient. I'm aiming to stop the food wastage.

[jlo]

Claret - in reply to your question, my hemcore is only about 1 " thick throughout but of course it gets scarped away competely from some areas and built up big time in others!

 

Thanks for the tip about the coathanger - off to find come pliers!!

[The Dogmother]

I have mine suspended about 3" off the floor with a brick under it for stability. In fact, I have two of those feeders and rotate them so that one is always being washed while the other is in use.

[tom123]

Just a thought, If your hens are free-ranging anyway could you not keep the whole end panel of the cube open out, then hang the feeders off there so your mum could fill them up like that?

 

Good Luck

Tom

[Isobel]

This is quite a long thread now so may have missed something but do we know approx what area you live in? Only, if it was anywhere reasonably near to me I'd be more than happy to help out!! (Cambs). Wishing you luck.

[bluekarin]

When we go away next weekend for a couple of days, I thought I would leave one grub full of porridge.

 

I know I have read somewhere that chooks arent supposed to like old porridge (turns sour or something?) but ours love it, in fact they seem to prefer it! And I thought there would be less chance of flicking food?

 

The mash would only be their normal food mixed with water, bran and garlic.

 

Also, we have Mash rather than pellets. And although some goes on the grounds, it is much less then the amount of pellets that got flicked left right and centre...

 

You might find a gravity feeder better then - they can't stand in it to scratch the feed out, and the dividers on the bottom stop them from flicking it everywhere.

 

I have two like this:

 

Porkypie - the feed goes off rapidly when it absorbs moisture from the air. Some gannets will still eat it when it has got damp, but pickier hens won't. As soon as mould spores start to develop, then it quickly becomes dangerous; so stored in a lidded container will be fine, but a feeder is more open and it will spoil quicker.

 

No offence was intended, just advice offered based on the information given.

 

I have one of those feeders but I find the top, and sometimes even the bottom wing nut comes off, and I have to try and find washers, wing nuts and other bits amongst the Hemcore Do you have that problem? I try And tighten them up, but it happens about ones a week or so.

[Lesley]

Like Sheila, we use the large (50kg - 2 large bag) spiral feeders but you can get slightly smaller ones. You could also make one yourself - Solway sell all the components.

http://www.solwayfeeders.com/ProductsResultsList1.asp?cat=3

 

(These feeders also help if you have a problem with rats and can't remove all the feed every night)

[Mayo]

Why are so many of us apologising for our replies to this thread.

 

I've no idea ; and can't be bothered to check, just how long you've been a part of the contributors to this site.

If it's any time at all, you'll know perfectly well, that any comments or advice is meant kindly towards you and your feathered friends : so there's no excuse for getting stroppy 'cos you didn't, immediately, get the answer you expected / wanted.

 

Please be aware ; that this particular part of the Omlet website is not a commercial organisation ; so any information that you glean from this site is freely given - In Every sense.

 

Try Googling, and a visit to Ascott's site may sometimes be productive.

 

Mayo.

 

Incidentally, do you remember your Grandparents well ??

If you do, I'll be willing to bet that they told you that the occasional 'Please' and 'Thank You' would benefit you eventually.

[The Dogmother]

I've not lost my nuts yet Karin

[Janty]

I've not lost my nuts yet Karin

 

Aren't you the lucky one.

 

[The Dogmother]

I think Lesley and my nearest and dearest would beg to differ though!

[Redwing]

If your chooks asked for spanners for Christmas then you have only yourself to blame

[bluekarin]

I've not lost my nuts yet Karin

 

Glad to hear it Claret

 

If your chooks asked for spanners for Christmas then you have only yourself to blame

 

*damn* I knew I shouldn't have given their list to Santa last christmas

[Steph101]

Do you have any forum friends who would be happy for your sitter to have their number in case they need more experienced help? I have given my number to friends in the past.

 

I was hoping to find a forum member who lives nearby, but i don't think there is anyone quite near enough. I think I've got things sorted now. I've got my mom, who knows what to do now, and a couple of neighbours to checkon them. My mom has my sister in law's number if she needs help, so we should be ok. Thanks for your advice on the feeders.

[Steph101]

This is quite a long thread now so may have missed something but do we know approx what area you live in? Only, if it was anywhere reasonably near to me I'd be more than happy to help out!! (Cambs). Wishing you luck.

 

Many thanks for your offer, but I think you are too far away from each other. I'm in the West Midlands.

[Steph101]

Just a thought, If your hens are free-ranging anyway could you not keep the whole end panel of the cube open out, then hang the feeders off there so your mum could fill them up like that?

 

Good Luck

Tom

 

I'm going shopping for the best feeder this weekend and I'll make a decision. Thanks Tom.

[Steph101]

Steph, have you thought about modifying the Cube end panel, as per this thread? I don't know how fit your mum is, she'd still need to lean in to reach the feeders, but I find that so much easier than trying to get them out through the door. I keep mine fastened with big pegs from Lakeland.

 

I always take some treats and chuck them up the far end of the run, so that I don't have chickens flapping around and trying to get out when I open the end panel. I do sympathise, luckily I have a chicken-loving friend who deputises for me, but she is too nervous to let the girls out when I'm away so I try and make it as easy as I can for her.

 

I'll give it some thought, thanks Olly.

[Steph101]

Like Sheila, we use the large (50kg - 2 large bag) spiral feeders but you can get slightly smaller ones. You could also make one yourself - Solway sell all the components.

http://www.solwayfeeders.com/ProductsResultsList1.asp?cat=3

 

(These feeders also help if you have a problem with rats and can't remove all the feed every night)

 

Those look good too. I can't decide now! Thank you.