Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[iarfach]

Hi,new to the board but have been reading for the last 18 months and owner of 3 hens for 12 months now. Usually whenever I have a question I see it's already been asked so I've had no need to register and post till now.

 

I bought a treadler feeder a few months ago just to save taking the food in every night and make it easier when our neighbour looks after the hens and have been really pleased with it - girls got used to it quickly too.

 

BUT, the last new days I can see sprinkings of pellets on the floor around the feeder which has never been an issue before. I'm worried something else is getting into the feeder at night and making the mess. I thought the feeder would be rat proof. If the hens stand on the treadle, then the flap moves revealing the food to the hens. But if you just push the flap with your hand then you can still get to the food. So, while a rat's weight wouldn't be enough to open the flap to reveal the food, if they investigate and find there's food there, then it seems to me they could get to it.

 

The girls are in a walk in run based on paving slabs, but not realising the rodent issue, I bought something called a Lucky Chicken Run which is metal but the mesh is really big so wouldn't stop any rodents getting in. There is a digging mark so I'm pretty sure SOMETHING is getting in.

 

Does anyone know if I'm doing anything wrong? I thought a treadle feeder was meant to stop rats so am suprised how easy the food is to get to. I will put traps out as I really don't want a rat issue if that's what's going on, but would value advise from anyone else with a treadle feeder. I got it from Regency Poultry by the way - seems quite standard.

 

Many thanks to you all in advance, iarfach

[Chucky Mama]

I had a problem with my hens throwing the food around and it building up under the bit that they stand on. They could chuck out a whole load of food in a day and rats would then dig under the feeder at night to get to it. They were worse with mash but would also do it intermittently with pellets. I found both pellets and mash would get damp and prone to mold in the feeder as a result of condensation - earwigs also got in. All in all it was a bit of a pain for me and I ended up building a more suitable treadle feeder myself.

[iarfach]

Thanks Chucky Mama - I remember following your DIY feeder, but limit is replacing a bulb!!! Thanks for the reply though, iarfach