cooker Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 So proud of my clever chickens today! We purchased a new treadle feeder on sunday, monday was their first proper go with it...propped open with a brick, they wouldnt put their heads anywhere near it and we worried that they would be able to get it... Tuesday, I propped if open with a brick they went for it.. yay! Wednesday they opened it themselves in the morning, I thought about no brick to keep it open, but ruth ddn't really get it, jumped out of her skin when she stepped on it. So today, thursday, I let them out and watched to see if they would be able to open it they've done it! I saw them all approach it and open it without jumping! yay!!!clever girls! Who says chickens are silly??Mine are very clever! lets hope the rats aren't as clever... Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooker Posted September 2, 2011 Author Share Posted September 2, 2011 I spoke to early, last friday something scary must have happened with the feeder and from that moment the grls were terrified by it! they would even go within 3metres of it! Even though I had left the brick on the moving part! They are getting better again gradually, but still not as god as they were to start with. The feeder itself is metal, and when it opened and closed it made quite a loud noise, which frightens the life out of the girls! We have now attached a felt pad to dampen the clanging. Does anyone else have a treadle feeder? This is proving much more difficult that I had hped! we are now two weeks in and they will only just go near it, with the brick opening it! Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I used to use one and mine needed the brick on for a few weeks. After that they didn't worry at all about the noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Treadle feeders geenrally work really well. I use treadle feeders for our allotment birds. I started with the upright treadle feeders but found that they were a bit sharp in places, and the food used to go mushy inside. We ended up putting them under cover and they were better. Then, as our cockerel grew, he had trouble using them, so I t bought a Grandpas Feeder for him. I found these kept the food drier and were easier to keep clean, so since then, I moved all the allotment feeders over to Grandpas. Regarding the treadle - whichever type - they get used to it. Leve it propped open for a while, then change what you are propping it open with so it is only partially open - so they can still see the food but have to get on the treadle to get to it. After another week of this you can remove the prop and they will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooker Posted September 2, 2011 Author Share Posted September 2, 2011 Thanks for your reassurance! It is a little frustrating, we are going on holiday sunday! Thanks for the tip about gradually removing the opening device! fingers crossed they pick it up! rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerryegg Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I bought a treadle feeder to try and stop feeding rats. The girls got used to it after a couple of days and I rather like the chink sound it makes when they use it. However they do fling beak fulls of food around so I am still feeding a large population of sparrows. Rat problem improved though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sootydog111 Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 may i ask what a treadle feeder is ? i Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooker Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 It is a feeder that the chickens have to stand on to open it up and expose the food. The weight of the chicken on the platform opens the feeder. Rats are not heavy enough to open the feeder and get the food. I went two years before I realised such a device was in existance! i was convinced I could do no more to be rid of the dreaded rat. My run is surrounded by 2m high chicken wire that is dug down....we saw a rat climb vertically up and then down the chicken wire the other day! they have been eating our eggs, I was disparing! Touch wood, no eggs have been eaten since the weekend and the poison in the poison box is going down a little slower.... rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyc Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 I've had a similar experience. My hens HATE the thing, they've never been scared of anything like they are with the feeder. After probably 3 months my 2 hens still won't eat from it without me (head chook) being next to them! Finally after intensive training and support they will eat without my hand inside it with them, so I'm hopeful that in the next few weeks they will begin eating from it without me being there at all. Chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
