Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[emmalou]

I have a largish feeder in the chicken run that has layer pellets in. I am currently emptying it and replenishing it every 2 or 3 days but not sure whether it is OK leaving the food out for longer? It is very hot here and whilst it doesn't seem to attract flies it is a pain keep emptying it. Do they need cleaning that often? I clean the water every day but wasn't aure about the feeder. I presume these pellets last quite a while outdoors in a feeder?

[Beantree]

The only time we empty our feeders is if they have accumulated a lot of feed dust (which upsets the hens breathing it in), they have got damp or if they look particularly dirty. So typically, for us, they get emptied and cleaned every month or so Emmalou and this has never caused any problems. However worth noting that feeders left down attract rats so are best put away at night unless the area is rat proof or if you have a good cat (which fortunately we have with 12 feeders).

[emmalou]

Ok great thanks. It gets put away most nights although is off the ground anyway. I think rats or anything in fact would have a job getting to the feeder but that sounds fine so thanks for the help.

[sjp]

you could reduce the amount of feed you put in it more so in damp rainy weather as you don't want to be feeding 3 day old damp feed plus you don't want to throw out good fed because the stuff at the bottom is dame or wet I've got a 5kg feeder but it's never more than half full in dry weather and just over a days feed the other 364 days of the year

[emmalou]

Does 1/4 pound of layer pellets and mix a day sound about right per bird? I am giving 5 birds a cupfull of layer pellets in the monring and the same of cereal mix in the evening between 5 birds plus their layer pellets in their feeder. They also get some form of greens during the day. All websites vary on what amount to feed a chicken on average each day?

According to my scales half a cup in 1/4 pound so if I am giving them 2 full cups a day for 5 birds maybe I am underfeeding them a little?? I am surprised if I am as they don't look skinny! Maybe what I am giving them is OK if they have the feeder and some greens each day too??

[sjp]

Does 1/4 pound of layer pellets and mix a day sound about right per bird? I am giving 5 birds a cupfull of layer pellets in the monring and the same of cereal mix in the evening between 5 birds plus their layer pellets in their feeder. They also get some form of greens during the day. All websites vary on what amount to feed a chicken on average each day?

According to my scales half a cup in 1/4 pound so if I am giving them 2 full cups a day for 5 birds maybe I am underfeeding them a little?? I am surprised if I am as they don't look skinny! Maybe what I am giving them is OK if they have the feeder and some greens each day too??

1/4 pound of pellets per bird is right. I'd only give a small hand full of cereal mix as a scatter feed between 5 birds at most in an evening in the summer and a bit more on cold nights mine get about a 100 grams at most between 20 as I have to bribe them to get them back in the runs about an hour before dusk otherwise some end up in with the wrong mob and all hell brakes out come morning the greens are OK just make them work for them by hanging them up just above head height or just give them a whole cabbage once a week or a over sized courgette left whole that'll keep em occupied for a few days

[Luvachicken]

I've got a 5kg feeder but it's never more than half full in dry weather and just over a days feed the other 364 days of the year

 

Sorry I have no advice to offer but I just thought that was really funny