The Poultry Keeper

superspottysocks · Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

Hi, I have a problem with squirrels, wild birds like sparrows and crows and rats (occasionally) eating the chicken feed I put out for my hens and ducks. This is during the day in the feeder in their run. I’ve tried fixing CDs to the feeder to scare them off; this worked for a time, but soon they returned and now it doesn’t put them off at all.

I would love any advice you could give me on how to stop the animals and leave the feed for my chickens only.

Thanks in advance.

Superspottysocks

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 2089 Location: norfolk

Hi superspottysocks

You could try netting over the top of the run - it would definitely stop the sparrows. Ifyou use garden netting it probably won't stop the squirrels for long. There are special feeders that you can get which squirrels and wild birds can't access. There's one that the hen has to step on before the hatch opens to let it feed and wild birds are too light. Also, if you have large fowl a cheaper option might be the type of feeder that gamekeepers use for pheasants. There is a spring arrangement that fills a hole drilled in the base of a plastic barrel (or other container) which is suspende above the ground. The chickens peck at the spring which is full of the grain or pellets and they fall to the ground in such small numbers that there is little waste.

Hope that helps.

Kate

superspottysocks · Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

Wow thanks so much for all the advice. I'll definitely try out some of what you said. Do you know of anywhere where I could get the different types of feeders you mentioned - possibly mail order?

Many thanks.

CP · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:46 am Post subject:

Ascott do them both.

http://www.ascott.biz/acatalog/Galvanised_Poultry_Feeders.html

The treadle feeder is the top one - where the hen has to tread on it to access the feed. The spring feeder is at the bottom of the page.

I'm sure there are other suppliers that have them too.

mojo · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:50 pm Post subject:

i use a treadle feeder .........chooks could not work it out so i put a few grains on foot plate and lip now they all use it ok

jaydee67 · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:24 pm Post subject:

Still not worked out how to persuade the hens to use the spring type! I have one full of food in the coop and they ignore it.

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 2089 Location: norfolk

not hungry enough?!!

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2671 Location: South Cumbria

try to stretch the spring a bit,to let the feed out easier, that's what we did and pulled on the spring every time we went past til they got the hang of it only took a few days Very Happy

chicken_house_man · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 129 Location: Brynmawr

I also stock the treadle and spring feeders
www.chicken-house.co.uk