newbiechickenmamma11
Chirping
Hi all, first time chicken mama here who has been trying really hard and being overcautious about everything while raising chicks. I had two 14 week old chickens die yesterday after my treadle feeder fell on its side and squashed them flat. It was so very sad. They were small for their age (the rest of my flock of same age is much bigger).
The treadle feeder was large, tall and heavy with a large base, so I didn't think it'd ever fall sideways. However, my chicken run is a deep litter system with wood mulch. What I believe has happened is that the other chickens were digging holes (which they have been doing to dust bathe) around the edge of the treadle feeder, causing it to tip over. Though I can't figure out how big of a hole they could possibly have dug to cause it to happen. Either way, it's tragically happened.
I have now put the treadle feeder on a large square paver and hope it will stop it from happening again, and wanted to warn others to make sure to put similar feeders on a paver, especially if the litter on the ground is soft. I didn't know to do this or think it would ever happen. Hopefully it will stop such a thing from happening to someone else.
I have attached a photo of the treadle feeder I have. Still can't believe it happened.
The treadle feeder was large, tall and heavy with a large base, so I didn't think it'd ever fall sideways. However, my chicken run is a deep litter system with wood mulch. What I believe has happened is that the other chickens were digging holes (which they have been doing to dust bathe) around the edge of the treadle feeder, causing it to tip over. Though I can't figure out how big of a hole they could possibly have dug to cause it to happen. Either way, it's tragically happened.
I have now put the treadle feeder on a large square paver and hope it will stop it from happening again, and wanted to warn others to make sure to put similar feeders on a paver, especially if the litter on the ground is soft. I didn't know to do this or think it would ever happen. Hopefully it will stop such a thing from happening to someone else.
I have attached a photo of the treadle feeder I have. Still can't believe it happened.