How about a tray under the feeder?

[jcatblum]

Was wondering if anyone had a catch tray under the feeder. My coops floor is very sandy soil. When crumble falls it disappears forever. I can use pellets for my layers but can't find pellet game feed for my guineas. I have 50 guineas, so would like to find a solution to stop the waste. They even make a mess with PVC feeder!

 

[BellevueOmlet]

I can't think of a way to catch the dropped food, especially since the fling it in every direction. That is a good idea - I will think about it and try to devise something for you.

 

[jaketheeggman]

a metal catch tray will work they will even eat the spilled food right of the tray.

 

[ozark_chickies]

I have a tray under my feeder in the outside chick brooder, it helps a little, and they eat out of the feeder and the tray. They still manage to kick food out of the tray, and it falls under the brooder, where other chickens help clean it up.

 

[SteveBaz]

like this I got tired of them kicking it everywhere uneaten

'

 

[Oregon Blues]

Switch the guineas to pelleted turkey food. Same stuff as the game bird.

Place the feeders somewhere that the feed falls on something solid so they can see it. They'll pick it up off the ground if they can see it.

 

[jcatblum]

I am going to see if one of the other co-ops can get the pellet turkey feed. Haven't been able to find a place locally to purchase it yet.

I am going to stick a galvanized pan under the feeder, since I have that on hand. Think I might buy a hot water heater pan or even a small wadding pool. Silly birds are just messy!!!

 

[hennyannie]

I had to put rubber mats under mine because the cracks in the wood floor alllowed even pellets to disappear forever. Works good, they like to peck it up off the mats, and they are easy to clean if need be.
I like that hot water heater pan idea or how about the pans people use under wood stoves, I have some old ones in the shed.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I don't even hang my feeders anymore- they just set inside the rubber feed bowl. Only a small lip works with this. I use the 12 lb. hanging feeder.

 

[SteveBaz]

Same with me but I still hang bc the girls like to step all over bithe the pan and the feeder.