Official BYC Poll: Which type of feeder do you use: gravity, treadle, or automatic?

[Al Gerhart]

I have used several varieties of feeders. From rubber livestock tubs I already owned, to the standard round, galvanized hanging feeder to Kebonix & Rent A Coop pvc ported feeders in different sizes.

View attachment 4055151View attachment 4055158

In some instances, I fed on the ground - figured what they missed or scratched under ok, as both drew bugs up & fertilized the "ground". I was feeding in tractors that moved through the yard & in 3 ×13' raised garden beds.

When I do have larger coop & runs, would like to do ported bins, but ...

In 2020, I noticed another issue popped up. Didn't matter what feed - horse/pony - pelleted feed w/ additives , alfalfa pellets, dry beet pulp shreds, a Sr mix feed w/ some molasses - stored in pony shed in the shade in galvanized or Rubbermaid trash cans. Duck feed pellets or "kibble" - stored in smallish galvanized trashcan or 5 gallon buckets next to pen outside (yes, sun & rain exposure). Chick starter crumble - Rubbermaid trash cans or 5 gallon buckets - in feed shed or under carport. All Flock - out in pony shed or barn; in 5 gallon buckets next to tractors in front yard that had some sun exposure. I had way reduced pony #s, no full size horses, a handful of ducks & also reduced #s of chicks, juvenile & mature chickens. Most if not all containers were "sweating". Then the feed around edges started clumping. Then molding. It happened w/ all the feeds - even the beet pulp shreds!

It also happened in the PVC ported feeders - different lid styles. Didn't matter if hung out or under a tarped roof.

I've used galvanized & Rubbermaid trash cans since 1995 for horse feed in MT (Cans stored outside strapped outside of feed pens/pasture w/ lids strapped tight), horse feed in southern NC since 1997 in 2 different barns before moved here in 2014. Chicken & ducks since 2011. Never experienced this before.

As I get chicks again now, i am replacing all the 5 gallon buckets. I don't want to replace any galvanized or Rubbermaid trashcans unless they are compromised... How worried do I need to be?

I did not usually have problems w/ ants or bugs. On occasion when I did, that feed went into compost, container completely washed, bleached & dried in sun before refilled w/ fresh feed. Area where that trashcan had been stored sprinkled w/ ant killer or later a combo of grits & DE. Usually worked & no issues for a long time. Barn & shed feed cans set up on pallets. Trashcans, some buckets outside set on cinder blocks. Not a lot of photos.

Condensation is caused by the container being colder than the surrounding air or feed in your case. Just a few degrees makes all the difference. Even a 40 watt incandescent bulb inside a metal container will do.

 

[BackyardinWales]

The thing is, you don't need a treadle feeder if you aren't having a problem with rats so your methods are working fine.

Oh, we have rats. But at least the little hanging one goes out in the morning, and comes in when I put the girls to bed. It means I stay mindful about the girls instead of being lazy, which works for me.

 

[Nchism]

I hang my gravity feeder
Food scraps in a pan
Scatter scratch on the ground

I hang mine. I can’t put anything out on the ground or concrete because of fire ants.

 

[Yardmom]

I use the feeder ports. 30 bird standard coop has a large trash can. Silkie coop has a 5 gallon bucket.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Oh, we have rats. But at least the little hanging one goes out in the morning, and comes in when I put the girls to bed. It means I stay mindful about the girls instead of being lazy, which works for me.

Might start measuring your feed usage. 1/4 pound per hen per day, ignore the roosters, so you know how much feed the rats are getting.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I use the rat proof feeders @Al Gerhart makes. I never had problems with rats to begin with, but switched to his treadle feeders from a gravity feeder because of mice. Even tiny rodents were taking a fair amount of feed. I also didn’t like the idea of mice pooping in the pellets. Treadle feeder keeps them out.

 

[ManOverBoard]

We use a mix of feeders, but the girls' favorite is a Bundt pan on top of a stump with a metal rod through it holding it onto the stump, they all gather round it in a circle

 

[ManOverBoard]

We use a mix of feeders, but the girls' favorite is a Bundt pan on top of a stump with a metal rod through it holding it onto the stump, they all gather round it in a circle

Snapped some pictures this morning