chunkdoobiest Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Hi, I have 3 Pekins that are cooped up in the day (While I'm at work), which i feed layer pellets in a more of a traditional feeder, but I'm finding they throw the food everywhere and don't really clean it all up when they are scratching about, so I'm worried about Rats, Mice etc. The coop sits on grass. I've tried measuring the amount of food, so there isn't much wastage and also taking the feeder out to encourage them to scratch about. However I am concious about them eating old pellets, in case it makes them ill. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience of this and any advice they can offer? I've considered using stable mats like Sammiboo or I've even seen feeders where the chicken stands on a plate to reveal the food. Does anyone use these type of feeders? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandwhite Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Hi I've got a grub and have secured a large cat litter tray under it. Ebay likes to actually pull the pellets out of the grub and onto the tray to eat. It also catches the excess. I then throw each night. Maybe you could stand your feeder in something similar? I secured the tray with pegs to the run to stop it tipping up/moving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 I use a large seed tray under my grub and it seems to catch most of the pellets that fall out. I used to have a real mess before adding the tray. I have seen the ones on here where they stand on a metal plate and considered one but a) they are exspensive I thought , b) takes some getting used to I reckon . As on here before people have commented on windfalls , bird food etc., that is always around this time of year so it is not only chicken food that would tempt the vermin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Try hanging it higher - level with their backs or even up to their chins, they will find it hard to flick bits out then If you do that then hang it from rope or chain as bungees will lift it too high as it empties If they spill some then remove the feeder the next day so they have to clean up what they spilled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunkdoobiest Posted November 10, 2011 Author Share Posted November 10, 2011 Thanks Blueandwhite, Jackian, Redwing, the seed tray has worked a treat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
