Best Wild Bird Proof Chicken Feeder?

[Aquatic_blue]

We got a pest proof bird feeder. Well, mostly pest proof (those pesky ants...)

It's not going as well as we hoped. We still have to prop it open because the chickens are too afraid to step on it to open it.

 

[Al Gerhart]

We got a pest proof bird feeder. Well, mostly pest proof (those pesky ants...)

It's not going as well as we hoped. We still have to prop it open because the chickens are too afraid to step on it to open it.

Got a picture? Not sure what a pest proof feeder is. The guillotine style require that the feeder be propped open but it is the worst thing you can do because it teaches the birds that the lid isn't supposed to move and when it does, scared birds. That is why it takes weeks for many birds to learn, even their training instructions warn of the weeks that the feeder needs propped open.

Far better to go with an inward swinging door. Safer by far, easier to train as the door isn't going up and down over their heads.

 

[Al Gerhart]

How large are you feeders? Your web site says that the medium feeder holds 25 lbs. of chicken pellets but it looks so small for that. Can that be true?

They will hold 25 pounds of pellets, I have personally weighed a feeder before and after filling.
The other day I did it again to compare our old feeder style with the smaller but more space efficient (inside) feeder. I got 30 pounds of whole corn in the old feeder, the one you are talking about, and 36 pounds in the new feeder. Pellets are lighter than corn if you are wondering why it held more poundage.

The large feeder is the one that will blow your mind. Just 10" taller than the medium and 4" wider but it will take an entire 50# sack of feed and another 13 pounds left over. You would never guess it holds that much just looking at it. Fully filled it weighs over 84 pounds.

 

[Aquatic_blue]

Got a picture? Not sure what a pest proof feeder is. The guillotine style require that the feeder be propped open but it is the worst thing you can do because it teaches the birds that the lid isn't supposed to move and when it does, scared birds. That is why it takes weeks for many birds to learn, even their training instructions warn of the weeks that the feeder needs propped open.

Far better to go with an inward swinging door. Safer by far, easier to train as the door isn't going up and down over their heads.

It's a Grandpa's Feeder. I haven't taken a picture of it. Yes, it does take what is expected to be a few weeks to get the accustomed to such a feeder. What I meant as challenging was that the feed wasn't sliding down in the feeder as I hoped it would, but I figured out the problem - I compacted it in too much the first time. At least we don't have all the neighborhood sparrows nearby.

I'm hopeful they will get the hang of it.

 

[Al Gerhart]

It's a Grandpa's Feeder. I haven't taken a picture of it. Yes, it does take what is expected to be a few weeks to get the accustomed to such a feeder. What I meant as challenging was that the feed wasn't sliding down in the feeder as I hoped it would, but I figured out the problem - I compacted it in too much the first time. At least we don't have all the neighborhood sparrows nearby.

I'm hopeful they will get the hang of it.

The grandpa feeder is notorious in that aspect, taking weeks and having to leave the lid open during those weeks of training. Which is why it isn't rat proof, the rats can easily push the lid open and they know where the feed is due to the lid being left open for weeks during training. Inward swinging doors are far superior to the guillotine type feeders like the grandpa feeder. No need to block the door open and the birds learn much, much, faster.

If the feed flow gives you any more trouble try waxing the feed hopper with floor wax or car wax.

 

[Aquatic_blue]

The grandpa feeder is notorious in that aspect, taking weeks and having to leave the lid open during those weeks of training. Which is why it isn't rat proof, the rats can easily push the lid open and they know where the feed is due to the lid being left open for weeks during training. Inward swinging doors are far superior to the guillotine type feeders like the grandpa feeder. No need to block the door open and the birds learn much, much, faster.

If the feed flow gives you any more trouble try waxing the feed hopper with floor wax or car wax.

Thankfully it isn't rats and mice that we're having the most trouble with. I suppose if it ever is then we can set something on top of the lid overnight. It's those pesky sparrows and thrashers. They haven't quite discovered the new feed source yet, thankfully.

We found the solution, the place where I sat it wasn't completely level. It looked level and I expected it to be level because it was the patio, but I suppose it wasn't according to my husband. We'll try moving it. I can't think that floor or car wax could possibly be good for chickens...