Spring Feeders

[cuwiar]

I was wondering what people's experiences are of using a spring feeder.

We have a heavy galvanised feeder with a hat that has been great (too heavy to kick over, rain keeps out) but one of the girls has got into the habit of digging around in the pellets to find what she believes are the 'best bits' (my fault for getting them hooked on their pellet porridge!) She beaks out loads of food which is going to waste so was thinking of introducing a spring feeder but wondered how well they work and will they get used to using one? Also, how high do they have to be hung? Our run isn't very tall so not sure we'd be able to get it high enough?

 

[crazypianolady]

My girls also have the occasional dig around in their pellets - I don't know why, there's only ever pellets in there! :roll: When they do that, I take the feeder up so they clean up the pellets they've thrown out. (I know, that's not practical unless you're down with your chooks several times a day! :lol: )

So mine also have a spring feeder on a tripod - it stands about three feet high (yes, I'm still in old money). Even the bantams can reach the spring although they sometimes just wait for the larger girls to release food from it. They soon got used to pecking at it to release the food. The only minor snag is on damp days the pellets in the spring can clog slightly - I just bend the spring a couple of times to release it.

 

[cuwiar]

Yes, by the time I get home at the moment the girls are in bed and the food is everywhere - I clear it up but hate the waste!

Where did you get your tripod feeder from?

How far from the floor is best for the spring? Do they need it above them; at head height or if it is closer to the ground will they still fathom it out? I'm looking for inspiration for what type of container to use with limited height.

 

[crazypianolady]

I bought this


http://www.solwayfeeders.com/products/solway-40kg-dumpy-barrel-self-feed-hopper-psf0027-c397.html

complete, but you can buy the spring on its own

http://www.solwayfeeders.com/categories/feeder-accessories-and-spares-c388.html

or even

http://www.solwayfeeders.com/products/the-wright-feeder-attachment-p4004-c388.html


and make your own stand or tripod.


I'd go for the middle of the spring to be head height for the smallest bird, but the smaller ones soon catch on to mopping up what the larger ones knock out!

 

[tygrysek75]

I'm using one from the summer and they much beter than other types of feeders.I had transformed bucked and hang so they hapily peck and eat firs whothewer falling.there is almost no waste at all.Some of them can get cloged with feed on the bottom of spring so you need to check this otherwise feed can get mouldy after a while.Its rain proof if you select right container,rodents proof as they cant reach.I love it.

 

[cuwiar]

That's excellent, thank you both so much! I'm inspired to try making a smaller tripod version for use in the run as I'm not sure the vertical struts would be strong enough. Will speak to Chief Engineer (hubby) tonight!!

It'll be fun watching the girls learn how to use it if nothing else!

 

[kitty]

Hi Cuwiar, I used to have the same problem with my chooks rooting out the feed from the feeder, however after I replaced the feeder with one which had ribs all around the actual feeding tray as shown here,http://www.solwayfeeders.com/products/25kg-outdoor-ascot-feeder-with-rain-guard-p1818-c397.html it completely solved the waste problem.

 

[cuwiar]

That looks like a really good idea too but I was reluctant to buy a different 'floor' feeder as I thought the plastic ones might have their own issues, like being light enough to be kicked or knocked over??

 

[kitty]

The one I have you can hang it up with a piece of wire or rope taking it to the correct height for the chooks, which also keeps it away from vermin etc.
This is the exact one that I have. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-KG-HEN-POULTRY-FEEDER-3-LTR-DRINKER-CHICKEN-/290609610970?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Poultry&hash=item43a9aec0da