chooksRCute Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Well six weeks into chicken keeping & I have to say...You learn a lot at a fast pace! I've dealt with rats, wing clipping, flooding, fussy eaters, new introductions, limping, worming & now I have my first broody. So this morning all plans are out the window & I'm off to purchase a broody cage - I'd falsely assumed this new interest was going to be cheap!! On another note, does anyone else's chickens not like the grub feeders? I had 2 in the walk in run with 6 chickens but having noted they weren't eating very much, added a small hanging feeder. Now they all fight to use this one, ignoring the 2 grubs completely, so, as well as a broody cage I'm thinking of getting another (larger) hanging feeder.....£££££ Victoria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 I completely gave up on the grub. I found the feed was getting wet and moldy even when taking it in at night. I now have two Feedr hanging. Those are very nifty birdfeeders and the ladies love them. Food stays dry and fresh and I don't even take it in at night. Also you can see how much is still in there and how much they've eaten. Edit: This is the post about the Feedr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksRCute Posted September 5, 2015 Author Share Posted September 5, 2015 Thank you Cat tails, that looks like a great device. I'm going to replace the grubs as they prefer the hanging feeder & eat a healthier amount of pellets which is their main diet - only get to free range them for a short period each afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 That's strange, I've been using Grubs for about 7 years with no problems! I don't find the feed gets wet either. Oh well, you have to use what works for your and your chickens . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Cat tails - what capacity is the FeedR please? I can find them for sale but nothing says how big they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Oh uhm... Good question.... I could measure it for you if you want. I think it will easily hold at least a kilogram of feed. I'll go out with my scales later. Will wait for the rain to stop... Again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Ok I stand corrected... It will hold about a liter of water (hard to measure with the hole in the bottom ) and with my normal way of filling about 500 g of feed. It's 17 cm high, 13 cm in diameter at the top and about 40 cm in circumference at the top. I've got two hanging with my three bantams and it takes them quite some time to empty them completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksRCute Posted September 5, 2015 Author Share Posted September 5, 2015 Ain't "Ooops, word censored!"ody Here, well yes! To be fair I was happy with the grubs as the pellets do stay in them & remain dry but unfortunately the girls don't favour them I only really noticed because I wormed them with the medicated pellets & they just weren't eating anywhere near the amount they should, so once that was over I continued to weigh the food/times the number of hens & still very low amount consumed. On inspection they were feeling quite skinny so tried a hanging feeder which I use in the quarantine area. Straight away they started to go hell for leather at the pellets! After 3 days of measured food they're not too far away from the recommended daily amount & I can feel that some have put on weight. The bonus being I'm also getting more eggs!! Just fussy beggars I'm thinking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Another one who thinks the grubs are rubish, they are too easy for the birds to rake feed out of - try using the glugs for this instead, or better still.... use a gravity feeder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksRCute Posted September 5, 2015 Author Share Posted September 5, 2015 Another one who thinks the grubs are rubish, they are too easy for the birds to rake feed out of - try using the glugs for this instead, or better still.... use a gravity feeder. Not sure here, are you suggesting I use the glug as a feeder? Hadn't thought of that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 My lot have loved the grubs too, and have done for the last 5 years . I think they take after their owner and enjoy their food no matter what Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Another one who thinks the grubs are rubish, they are too easy for the birds to rake feed out of - try using the glugs for this instead, or better still.... use a gravity feeder. Not sure here, are you suggesting I use the glug as a feeder? Hadn't thought of that Yes, I have assorted glugs, accrued over the years - I use them as feeders sometimes, although I prefer a gravity feeder as they can't get on top of those and poo in the food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 DM....yuck, poo in food! My Surrey girl chickens eat with a knife and fork, no pooing in grubs allowed here! Seriously though, that's vile.... I seem to remember I had some pols that did that a while ago, but they must have been taught their manners when they were merged, phew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyAndBobby Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Here's a link to where to buy the feedR if anyone is interested. I've decided to give it a go. Worst case, I have a nice new feeder for the birds. http://www.gardenwildlifedirect.co.uk/feedr-wild-bird-feeder.html We have the feeder that came with the go. It's OK, but you have to put lots in, it's hard to see how much is left and when digging around in their woodchips they can fill it up with that making it a wood chip holder not a food holder. I'll be happy to post photos/updates etc if it seems a hit (or miss) with the girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Gravity feeders here for me too, and I have used glugs as feeders. Grubs are in the stables collecting dust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Here's a link to where to buy the feedR if anyone is interested. I've decided to give it a go. Worst case, I have a nice new feeder for the birds. http://www.gardenwildlifedirect.co.uk/feedr-wild-bird-feeder.html We have the feeder that came with the go. It's OK, but you have to put lots in, it's hard to see how much is left and when digging around in their woodchips they can fill it up with that making it a wood chip holder not a food holder. I'll be happy to post photos/updates etc if it seems a hit (or miss) with the girls. Exactly my problem with the Grub. Too deep, to much feed and hard to see how much they have eaten. I have two Feedrs up now, easier for them to share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksRCute Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share Posted September 7, 2015 Wouldn't it be nice if Omlet offered a choice of feeders, colour coordinated (for anal folk like me)? come on Omlet....a gravity feeder that fastens onto the omlet run please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I'd love to see a UK based supplier of Dine a Chook/Wet a chook products - I had to buy mine via ebay from Australia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I'd have thought that someone could easily make one of those. My only worry about them is that only one bird can feed at a time; fine if you have 3 or 4 hens, but not good for anyone with more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Me too jimpaula. There's definitely no waste with those and they're dog proof! They're fine for lots of birds . I've got 2 in my cube, but they prefer one of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggshell Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Maybe we could encourage Omlet to stock them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I have a couple of gravity feeders/water and I also use the glug for water but I hate the grub, in fact I have used it to plant a few plants in and it hangs from the side of the cube and look's pretty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsatroy Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Another one who thinks the grubs are rubish, they are too easy for the birds to rake feed out of - try using the glugs for this instead, or better still.... use a gravity feeder. I agree - I had to stop using the grubs for feed. The hedge sparrows were treating it as a buffet - they were so fat they couldn't get off the ground. The wild birds were eating more than the chickens. I now use 2 treadle feeders and find them good as I can fill them up if I am away for a few days and only have to get someone to let the girls out in the morning and lock in at night. Do get earwigs in the feeders at this time of year tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksRCute Posted September 9, 2015 Author Share Posted September 9, 2015 I have a couple of gravity feeders/water and I also use the glug for water but I hate the grub, in fact I have used it to plant a few plants in and it hangs from the side of the cube and look's pretty What a fabulous idea! Unfortunately I ordered 2 grubs with the cube, my girls have now abandoned them for gravity feeders so was wondering what to do with them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyAndBobby Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Our feedR arrived yesterday and is now installed nicely into our WIR. The hens, of course, are TERRIFIED of it. I've put a small D-cup of pellets out next to it so they don't starve and I suspect they'll 'hen up' and start using it in the next few days. I'll post some photos when they've overcome their fear. It seems to mount well using zip ties, is easy to remove to fill and looks snazzy, but the real test will come when (if) they start using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
