Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[Melbourne12]

We've had our four chickens for about 6 weeks now, so we're beginning to have a chance to observe what works and to take remedial action on things that don't.

 

I have been becoming a little concerned about the treadle feeder. We weighted it open for a week or so, and were pleased to see that they apparently adapted to it. But over the weeks I've realised that although the cockerel and senior hen use it frequently and confidently, middle hen rarely uses it, and I've never seen junior hen on it at all. She just gathers up the pellets spilled by the others.

 

So this morning I hung up a small plastic feeder filled with pellets. Junior hen positively guzzled from it, and indeed all four obviously preferred it. I feel rather guilty that I have perhaps been inadvertently keeping poor junior hen on short commons all this time.

 

I've got plenty of feeders from a job lot bought second hand, so I can experiment with different types, but I quite like the idea of the treadle, since it's waterproof and vermin proof. Has anyone else encountered long-term resistance to using a treadle feeder?

 

Blog entry and pictures here http://bit.ly/rot9sS

[WitchHazel]

Are you using one of the upright feeders (likej the ones sold by Regency and FLyteSoFancy?)

Our cockerel had trouble using those, especially in the winter. His face furniture was just too big.

We have grandpas feeders for our allotment chooks now, and I much, much, much prefer them. They are expensive, but they are much better made than the upright ones.

[Chucky Mama]

There isn't much space for them to feed from if you have a hen that is a bit of a bully. It would be quite possible for one to prevent the others from feeding. When I used one mine very quickly got used to it and when I got new girls they learned to eat from it within days.

[Melbourne12]

Are you using one of the upright feeders (likej the ones sold by Regency and FLyteSoFancy?)

Our cockerel had trouble using those, especially in the winter. His face furniture was just too big.

We have grandpas feeders for our allotment chooks now, and I much, much, much prefer them. They are expensive, but they are much better made than the upright ones.

 

The answer is yes, they are indeed the upright ones. They seem to be able to get their heads in OK, although they are big birds, but I did wonder whether they felt vulnerable with their head in the feeder and their rear end exposed. I might invest in a Granpa's Feeder, which I see has a much more open feed tray, but they are rather expensive. £95 plus £12.50 delivery! Thanks for the advice - food for thought there.

[Melbourne12]

There isn't much space for them to feed from if you have a hen that is a bit of a bully. It would be quite possible for one to prevent the others from feeding. When I used one mine very quickly got used to it and when I got new girls they learned to eat from it within days.

 

That's a good thought, but I've not seen any behaviour like that. Although it may simply be that the most junior hen avoids the feeder if she knows full well she'll get a pecking if she tries.

[WitchHazel]

I might invest in a Granpa's Feeder, which I see has a much more open feed tray, but they are rather expensive. £95 plus £12.50 delivery! Thanks for the advice - food for thought there.

 

They are more expensive, but they are much better made. I bught one initially because they seemed so expensive., and when it arrived, I could see why it cost so much more. (In fact, we ended up replacing all our allotment feeders with grandpas in the end). There are some pics of our latest batch of chicks learning to use the treadle feeders here, which may help you see the feeder in more detail http://witchhazelhens.blogspot.com/2011/05/6-weeks.html

 

You would pprobably be able to sell your current feeder on Practical Poultry (I sold mine there) but you'd only get back a small amount.

 

We don't use treadle feeders at home because we don't have a vermin problem there. But we do have rats on the allotment, so treadle feeders are essential there. (We previously tried suspending feeders, but we've seen rats hanging from them so we had to give that idea up).

 

However, £95 is £95 (or more if you buy the larger one), and, if money is tight, it may be just too expensive. I would not encourage you to invest in one if you can't afford it.

[Melbourne12]

WitchHazel, I love your blog. It's inspirational! The pictures of the Granpa's Feeder were very interesting. There's loads more space for their heads.

[WitchHazel]

Thank you.

[Melbourne12]

Well, we bought a Grandpa's Feeder. They were on special offer at the National Poultry Show. £85 instead of £95, and of course no delivery charge.

 

This is the first week, so the lid is fixed in the fully-open position. All four chickens are eating from it, though. With the previous treadle feeder, only two would use it even when we weighted the treadle to keep the lid open.

 

I have high hopes!

[MedusA]

I'm really tempted to get one of these, but they are a bit pricey.

 

We've definitely got a rat getting into the run by tunelling under the slabs and coming up in the uncovered soil. I don't have anything against them personally, but I really don't like the idea of them eating the girls food and spreading disease. I try to remember to take their food in at night, but the rats round here operate 24/7.

 

Any tips for getting rid of rats from the run, humanely?

[Chucky Mama]

Any tips for getting rid of rats from the run, humanely?

'fraid there is no easy way, they breed very quickly if you don't deal with the issue quickly and you will have a real problem before you know it. Capturing them and relocating them is not an option.