Introducing my new flock to a Grandpa's treadle feeder

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Icemaiden

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Well the thought of getting up at 7am each morning to take the girls' feeder back to the run after the clocks changed was a step too far, so I've splashed out on a second Grandpa's feeder, so I now have one for each run.

It didn't occur to me years ago, when I got the first one, but when you first introduce the pullets to the feeder, the lid is secured in the open position for the first 7 - 10 days while the girls get used to the feeder. Then you move the "training bolts" to the second position so that the lid is half open & the treadle is half way up. The girls can see their food but have to step on & partially depress the treadle plate in order to feed. (This step took a couple of weeks with my first feeder, as the hens were nervous of the noise & movement.)

So for the next 2 -3 weeks the rats will have access to the layers' pellets, until the feeder can be used in rat-proof mode.

Can I add some chilli to the layers' pellets, to repel the rats? Will it hurt the pullets at all if I do (either when they eat them or when they expel the remains later 💩🤯)?
 
I have added it to bird food to stop squirrels, birds can't taste so it's fine. I assume a lot could taint the eggs if they were laying.

Knowing rats, it probably wouldn't stop them
 
None of the girls are laying at the moment- the ex-batts are too old & the new ones aren't old enough! So no risk of curried eggs... I wondered whether they'd be affected by "afterburn" 😵‍💫
 
Introducing your new flock to a Grandpa's treadle feeder involves a gradual training process: start by securing the lid open for 7-10 days to familiarize the pullets with the feeder, then adjust the lid to a half-open position, requiring them to step on the treadle to access food, and finally, after a few weeks, allow the feeder to function in its fully closed, rat-proof mode.
 
Yes, as above which are the instructions given with the feeder. But to get the chickens to adapt to the feeder more quickly it needs 'tuning', so you can improve things considerably by making it less 'clanky' and greasing the pivot points plus balancing the treadle pad by adding self- adhesive weights underneath. These are used to balance alloy wheels on your car, so go to the tyre station and buy a strip. The result will be a much smoother action without the lid slamming down when the chickens get off it. You can also add self adhesive draught proofing strip under the lid where it contacts the feed hopper to make closure even quieter.
 
chrismahon said:
Yes, as above which are the instructions given with the feeder. But to get the chickens to adapt to the feeder more quickly it needs 'tuning', so you can improve things considerably by making it less 'clanky' and greasing the pivot points plus balancing the treadle pad by adding self- adhesive weights underneath. These are used to balance alloy wheels on your car, so go to the tyre station and buy a strip. The result will be a much smoother action without the lid slamming down when the chickens get off it. You can also add self adhesive draught proofing strip under the lid where it contacts the feed hopper to make closure even quieter.
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That's not a bad idea... I've already put silicone tubing onto the training bolts, to make the closing quieter... I think I'll try the draught excluder next.
 
Hi!
I didn't add chili pepper to my chickens' feed. As far as I know, pepper can cause discomfort and irritation in the stomach, and while chickens won't feel the heat, the leftovers in their droppings could affect their health. It's better to use traps, barriers, etc.
 
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One thing about trapping a rat, you know you have got it and disposed of it. otherwise you are never quite sure if one is still around breeding away
 
It took a while for my pullets to get to grips with "training mode 2" where the treadle and the lid both moved a bit. But having given them several weeks to get used to it, they didn't bat an eyelid when I removed the training bolts to make the feeder fully operational & rat proof.

Now the rats are having to share the monkey nuts that a neighbour is putting out for the birds. We get the empty shells on our paths. At least I'm not paying for those...
 
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