Chucky Mama Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I am looking at treadle feeders as am tired of wood pigeons growing fat and reproducing like mad on account of all of the chicken food that they steal. Also I am a rat phobic and don't want to encourage any around the food. My question are can birds the weight of pigeons activate the feeder and how messy are they as I can't see from photos where the food actually comes out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I believe that chunky bantams and normal chooks can operate them but not light bantams so I dont think a pigeon could operate one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I have one and don't find that there is any mess to speak of. I haven't noticed any problems with pigeons etc. The hens do poo all over the lid though when they use the feeder as a viewing platform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I've had one of these for two weeks now, and I got mine from www.homefarmfowls.co.uk It is brilliant, no more wasted food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 Thanks Steph, did you get a 12kg one? Can you just fill it up and leave it, I assume that it is waterproof etc. Do you still use a grub? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I bought one recently from Flyte so Fancy. It was huge. I did chat to a lady on the phone first and she was really helpful. Apparently it is to do with the angle that chickens feed at too - pigeons haven't got the reach even if they can work the treadle (sneaky clever fat birds) and to help the girls get used to it, put a stone on the treadle. Well, I didn't want a stone on there because I didn't want the little ones eating big girl's food, so while the littlies are in their run, I put the big girls dish on there so that they would associate it with food. One of them made the treadle go bang and they ran away squealing that a silver monster was out to get them! They won't go near it at all now. The other day when I was getting food out, I found that with all the heavy rain, the food was damp where the water had dripped down the feeder bar underneath (food inside the main bin was dry) not only that, I found a huge slug tucking in. Yuk! Perhaps when the little ones are onto big girl's food, they might be able to use it - they don't seem as stupid as the Orpies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
