Trigger Happy Chicken Feeder

chrismahon

chrismahon

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We've ordered some of these because we have a major sparrow problem and the run isn't big enough for a Grandpa's treadle feeder. They are very cheap at £5 each plus £3.50 postage -but it is only one component in the feeder assembly -you have to get the rest together yourself.

Anyone have any experience of assembling and using one and could give any advice? Sure the instructions don't tell you everything.
 
Looks interesting - though I don't imagine anyone on here would go along with the claim that 'now you can leave your flock unattended for several days ...'!
 
Looks like a variation on the drinker valve. Should be just a matter of fitting it in a suitable container by drilling the right size hole. Not always easy for a larger hole in brittle plastics. Some hot water or a hair dryer usually helps. Would be a great space saver in the end of a length of drainpipe and hung from the ceiling. Where did you order it from?
 
Oh - from that site KittyKat found I guess. Really annoys me when they flick all the pellets out of a full bowl just in case there's something interesting at the bottom!
 
I thought the bit of video did show them scattering pellets on to the tray beneath, so I wondered if, once they had finished, there would be some left there for the rats anyway. And I would be cautious about possible blockage to the feeder tube if the unit was outside in damp weather when the rain was blowing sideways, as if feed gets at all damp in any kind of feeder it tends to swell and clump enough to impede the flow. Though anyway it's always best to have the feeder well under cover, of course.
 
The part arrived today. It is simplicity itself and I wouldn't have thought of it. We have a clear plastic fat balls container earmarked for the job. Unfortunately I'm alone here for the next week and I will have absolutely no time available.
 
Yeah, I ordered one too. Its worth the price just to have the tested idea although making one would be pretty easy. Oddly enough though I don't think it will be that useful for the reason I bought it - to save space, because as was noted the tray would have to catch the pellets and would be as big as the bowl anyway. Its still a great idea to feed from a hopper.
 
We have over 50 sparrows taking what seems to be about 300g of feed a day. Now two collared doves have arrived -heard about the free feast obviously!

Going to use a plant pot base I think on the floor, or perhaps even nothing because the floor inside the runs is completely dry and the chickens do take everything off the floor in preference to going into the feeder. The two runs where we have problems are occupied by Wyandottes -pretty smart birds they are, so I hope that training them to use the trigger will be easy. The clear container should mean we can see at a glance if the feeder is empty and it has a sealable watertight lid. The stand I haven't thought about yet, but the height is important so it may need to be adjustable.
 
There is only the roof of the run and I can see it swinging about a lot Rick. So I will make a stand of some description which I may be able to attach to the roof centre support? That's the support that stops the roof panes sagging with snow -something we don't get here apparently?
 
Something like a piece of ply screwed to the post with a batten at the bottom to stop the container sliding down and a rope or strap to hold it against the ply? The container would have to be reasonably stiff. I was going to try a length of drainpipe with end caps but wouldn't be able to see the level inside.
 
Probably will go for something moveable Rick, having thought a bit more about it.

There seems a major flaw in the design of this feeder as proposed in the literature. A flat bottomed container results in the bottom corners remaining stationary. This results in stagnant feed which will eventually rot just in the air and that will lead to cases of sour crop. Looks to me (a Design Engineer by trade) like a design conceived by someone who hasn't tested it properly? However there is a simple solution -fit a cone into the bottom of the container. We have such a cone we bought very cheaply as a feed water shelter -it didn't fit properly to the feeder but we still have it. I will just glue it into the bottom of the container.
 
That's a good idea. I was thinking a container big enough for, say, 5 days max and then shake up the refill. Or a drainpipe which would have a fairly narrow end. But then I was thinking where I would get a clear pipe as I liked your idea of seeing how much was left. Still intending to rig something up as I recon as the pellets fall out their irresistible instinct will be to find and tidy them all up!
 
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