Chooks coping quickly with 'spring'!!!

[Snadger]

Just got round to attaching a 'spring' feeder to the bottom of another small plastic barrel. Hung it up from a 3" X 2" timber I put on top of the small run to take the weight.
As soon as I left the run the chooks were at it, even though I left their normal feeder there as well until they got used to it.
I have another similar contraption in with the cockerels and it has saved me a fortune in food. I hardly ever need to fill it and the cockerels look really healthy.
As I have killed quite a few rats lately I'm hoping this one will be as successful at the other end of my plot.
Must say though that these chooks appear to have taken to it like a duck to water (very avian) and as soon as there other feeder is empty I will remove it altogether.
I'm beginning to wonder if a chook having constant food without having to work for it is such a good thing anyway? In the wild they would have to peck and forage and it wouldn't be given to them on a plate.

[chris]

I guess the only thing with it, is if there's just 1 spring then the pecking order will come into play more so than if they can feed all together. My small flock feed all together happily.. I've thought about using one but then changed my mind as they're happy at the mo and hardly make a mess.

[Snadger]

I guess the only thing with it, is if there's just 1 spring then the pecking order will come into play more so than if they can feed all together. My small flock feed all together happily.. I've thought about using one but then changed my mind as they're happy at the mo and hardly make a mess.

The thing is Chris that the pecking order works in reverse! The No1 chook pecks the spring and the pellets fall on the ground for the others to pounce on!

I somehow can't believe that No 1 has trained another to do the pecking so quickly!

PS There's only five chooks and Sid the cockerel in this flock.

[Suechooks]

Must fill mine up and put it out for one of my groups. Its sitting there unused at the moment!

[chris]

Cor.. erm think I had 1 too many last night. I don't even remember posting this, am quite frankly I'm shocked it's pretty much coherent!

[RichmondHens]

The thing is Chris that the pecking order works in reverse! The No1 chook pecks the spring and the pellets fall on the ground for the others to pounce on!

I somehow can't believe that No 1 has trained another to do the pecking so quickly!

PS There's only five chooks and Sid the cockerel in this flock.

We use home made peck feeders, similar to your spring type Snadge but with the holey can thing underneath instead of the spring. The cocks do the pecking and the hens do the eating - they have a good system in place! Depending on the height of the birds we have made the legs on some feeders to be quite tall, to foil short legged wildlife, although this only works in some enclosures - the bantams for example have to have a lower feeder which is obviously more accessible.

[Suechooks]

Well I put my home-made peck feeder in the bantam run last night. They all stood around looking at it this morning so I gave the spring a bash and they happily ate what came out then stood waiting for me do it again! Which being a well trained human of course I did! They ate that and again stood around waiting .........!
I'm not convinced!!!!!!

[Suechooks]

Well whadya know!!!! Last night I sneaked up on the group with the spring feeder to see three of them standing under it and giving a good peck and eating the proceeds! Never underestimate a flock of chooks!

[Snadger]

We use home made peck feeders, similar to your spring type Snadge but with the holey can thing underneath instead of the spring. The cocks do the pecking and the hens do the eating - they have a good system in place! Depending on the height of the birds we have made the legs on some feeders to be quite tall, to foil short legged wildlife, although this only works in some enclosures - the bantams for example have to have a lower feeder which is obviously more accessible.

Been thinking about fabricating my own holey-can peck feeder. Had notions of using a drilled bean tin at first but am now thinking more on the lines of a short length of polypropylene tubing (as used for polytunnel frames) drilled and capped accordingly? Plastic waste water pipe will be too brittle but the yellow or blue water pipe is as tuff as old boots!
My chooks will just have to turn into guinee pigs!

[polo]

I would like to give these a go but am struggling to visualise - any chance of a photo Snadge and Sue?

thanks

Polo

[baldrick]

Must fill mine up and put it out for one of my groups. Its sitting there unused at the moment!

mine too! I keep getting fatball buckets and using them for other stuff!

[baldrick]

Just got round to attaching a 'spring' feeder to the bottom of another small plastic barrel. Hung it up from a 3" X 2" timber I put on top of the small run to take the weight.
As soon as I left the run the chooks were at it, even though I left their normal feeder there as well until they got used to it.
I have another similar contraption in with the cockerels and it has saved me a fortune in food. I hardly ever need to fill it and the cockerels look really healthy.
As I have killed quite a few rats lately I'm hoping this one will be as successful at the other end of my plot.
Must say though that these chooks appear to have taken to it like a duck to water (very avian) and as soon as there other feeder is empty I will remove it altogether.
I'm beginning to wonder if a chook having constant food without having to work for it is such a good thing anyway? In the wild they would have to peck and forage and it wouldn't be given to them on a plate.

Totally agree. My dogs and in years gone by my rats and rabbits have always been given food puzzle toys to keep them busy. I have 5 dogs, usually work 5 days a week and have no house chewing, barking, paw chewing or fighting to contend with. I really must get my spring thing up and running for the chooks, as it seems bizarre that I put this effort into the dogs but not the chickens. That said though I think vermin or no vermin scatter feed is vital. I also have logs and bricks that I turn over periodically. Id love to see the fashion in chickens as pets leading to more lever and button operated food toys, as actually I think chooks are a lot cleverer than they are given credit for, and its no wonder feather picking and so on happens when they lack mental stimulation.

[Suechooks]

I would like to give these a go but am struggling to visualise - any chance of a photo Snadge and Sue?

thanks

Polo

Will try to photo later today but meanwhile visualise bucket with lid either suspended or on stand with legs high enough for chokks to go under, hole in bottom of bucket with spring feeder poking through - looks a bit like the springs that keep gates closed with tapered end and small opening for pellets to drop through. Chooks peck at spring and a few pellets drop on to ground to be devoured by other chooks standing by! result one bemused chook!

[Suechooks]

Pictures as requested

Hope this is some help Polo! Couldn't get hens to oblige and demonstrate - sorry!

[polo]

Brilliant - thanks Sue. Sorry it took so long to reply - still having trouble getting online! I think I'm going to give one of those a go!!

Polo