Grandpa's Feeder

[Melbourne12]

I said that I'd post some pictures of our recently acquired Grandpa's Feeder.  It was a lovely bright dawn this morning when I went to let them out AND I remembered the camera, so:

Here's the feeder in its closed position ...

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... and in use

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The thingy is rather a big lad, so he prefers to stand back while one of the hens stands on the treadle, but he's quite capable of opening the feeder with one leg and feeding that way.

[Melbourne12]

[Peasticks]

I do like the look of these, have you had the standard treadle feeders? I have given up on those in the past so am wary about these

lovely chickens  ;D

[pumkinlover]

Thanks M12 they seem to have got the hang of it!! Lovely birds, do you just put the bale of straw in and let them scratch about and sit on it?

[Melbourne12]

I do like the look of these, have you had the standard treadle feeders? I have given up on those in the past so am wary about these

lovely chickens  ;D

Yes, we did indeed try the standard treadles.  Slightly longer version of the story here: http://johnnorman.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/grandpas-feeder/

[Melbourne12]

Thanks M12 they seem to have got the hang of it!! Lovely birds, do you just put the bale of straw in and let them scratch about and sit on it?

Even though we try to let them "free range" as much as possible, they obviously hate the wind, and recently have taken to sheltering in the henhouse.  There's plenty of room in there, but it seemed a shame to lurk in the semi-darkness.

So I tried putting three straw bales in the run as a windbreak.  This seems to have worked well, as well as providing entertainment value pulling the straws out, and occasionally for the hens to jump up out of the way of the cockerel if his attentions are unwelcome.

[zaz283]

Fed up with feeding the local rats as well as my chickens I made my own rat proof chicken feeder for very little cost. It keeps my four going for two days. For images and a plan click the link below. John

http://allotmentheaven.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-to-make-rat-proof-chicken-feeder.html

[Melbourne12]

Fed up with feeding the local rats as well as my chickens I made my own rat proof chicken feeder for very little cost. It keeps my four going for two days. For images and a plan click the link below. John

http://allotmentheaven.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-to-make-rat-proof-chicken-feeder.html

That's a clever design.  I like that.  8)