Where to place the feeder?

[Anonymous]

Morning,
Where is the 'correct' place to put the feeder? Mine doesn't have a big umbrella so I'm a bit worried about the food in the tray getting wet - does this bother the chickens? It was damp yesterday so I put in in the hen house, but the bantams just stayed inside all day and the tray ended up full of wood shavings. Perhaps they don't mind either, but I could do with some advice. I'm going out to see about a piece of wood to cover the end of the run, and at least this will give some rain cover.
Thanks.
Liz

 

[snifter]

I'd hang it in a sheltered spot. If it gets wet and doesn't get eaten it will spoil pretty quickly.

I used to hang mine in the small runa attached to the hen house, underneath it, a few inches from the floor. Ensure its not too high otherwise the banties won't be able to reach.

If you stand it on the ground, get a cheap tray and put it on that. Saves lots of food being wasted as you can just tip it back into the feeder. Also saves cleaning up the run area.

I'd suggest not to place it in the hen house again. Even if raining. Don't mix the sleeping and daytime things up. Always place it outside.

 

[Anonymous]

Would this be the plastic white and green circular feeder that has the useless pointy top on it that doesn't cover the food in the bottom? I've got one of those and I replaced the lid with a large round pot plant saucer. It definately stops the rain ruining the food, even in a bad downpour. I've got a small brick on the top to keep it stable and it saves alot of hassle. :idea: Also I stand the feeder on a small tray so it's raised off the ground by a few inches - the chooks seem to like the set up.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Snifter and Jani.
I love the pot saucer idea, I was thinking that i'd have to get another, and it wasn't cheap in the first place.
Liz

 

[snifter]

In my personal experience I've found its not worth throwing money at things straight off. It really is a case of trial and error as what works for one won't always work for another.

In the beginning I used the ceramic feed bowls for water and food as they were a) cheap and b) easy to clean and c) solid.

Then over a period of time, once I'd worked out my set up, made some changes to the living quarters, changed the run area and just lived with it a while I went out and bought the feeders and drinkers I felt would suit my set up.

 

[Anonymous]

hi
hope this helps. I'm fearly new to chicken keeping, have had them for 2 years now and have tried alsorts of ways to keep food clean and dry. I now have a roof over the run so rain is not a problem and have found that this set up works for me. the water is up on a block to help stop dirt and shavings getting kicked into it and the feeder is hung on a rope as I found even up on a brick it would sometimes get knocked over where as on a rope if it gets nocked it just swings and the food doesn't spill out just make sure its low enough for your smallest chook to reach it. its all trial and error to start with till you find what works best for you really. just took these photo's as thought may give you a better idea of how I'm set up.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Stepyone. Great pics.
Liz

 

[Anonymous]

Here is a photo of my feeder - it works very well with my set up.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks to everyone.

I've taken all suggestions - coverewd the run; put a plant saucer with a hole in it as a lid; put another underneath and hung the lot from the roof of the run.

Liz