Feeding Chickens on Bare Ground vs Trough

[irsmun]

I was wanting to construct a simple trough to give our chickens kitchen scraps. Given that chickens love to scratch around, I was wondering if its better to just put it on the ground and let them scratch through it. Experiences?.. or am I overthinking this?

 

[nchls school]

You are not overthinking. Feeding on the bare ground can, and will, spread disease; especially if you use the same spot over and over. Many poultry diseases are spread by the fowl eating on contaminated ground.

My flock is so large and diverse I do feed on the ground, but I'm careful to use different spots. This is not good either so I plan on laying down a tarp that can be washed and rinsed.

 

[irsmun]

You are not overthinking. Feeding on the bare ground can, and will, spread disease; especially if you use the same spot over and over. Many poultry diseases are spread by the fowl eating on contaminated ground.

Interesting. I never considered that. I was more concerned with it attracting ants and vermin from what they did not eat. Plus the mess they might make from spreading it everywhere did not appeal to me.

Right now they don't seem to want anything we give them unless its grain. I'm guessing since they are in a new run they prefer to eat the grasses and weeds...while they last. I know sooner than later they will have the ground bare. Perhaps they will be more interested then?

 

[nchls school]

Interesting. I never considered that. I was more concerned with it attracting ants and vermin from what they did not eat. Plus the mess they might make from spreading it everywhere did not appeal to me.

Right now they don't seem to want anything we give them unless its grain. I'm guessing since they are in a new run they prefer to eat the grasses and weeds...while they last. I know sooner than later they will have the ground bare. Perhaps they will be more interested then?

Ants are everywhere regardless of how you feed the birds. Vermin can get into most feeders. No, it's disease you have to be careful of; and more so as the weather gets warmer. That's why I'm going to start using a tarp; the warming weather.

I've seen birds starve themselves rather than eat a new food; a food that's likely to become a favorite once the birds try it. It always takes time for new feed to be sampled and liked. I find that birds are much like our children in many respects.

Feeders don't work well for me as my flock is composed of peafowl, turkeys, ducks, large layers, bantams, and pigeons. It takes a LARGE area to feed my flock. The tarp is ideal for me. I free range most of my birds.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

The key there is “bare”.

The solution could be to have a layer of organics in the run (wood chips, hay, leaves, etc) to help compost whatever the flock doesn’t eat and cover any manure (to avoid cross contamination).

 

[rosemarythyme]

Given that it they'll pick through the run litter to look for any bugs or whatnot to snack on anyhow, I don't see any harm tossing treats or even a few handfuls of feed on the ground.

 

[kurby22]

I split the difference and do most of their treats in a chicken sized picnic table and then scatter some in random places in the run area for the lower on the pecking order chickens to get some of it too! I watch them spend all day digging in the dirt, eating things and drinking in the muddy water instead of their clean water…so I figure I’ll let them enjoy scratching for their scratch!