Feeding pot for hens

cottager83

Hi folks, have 2 hens in a run out the back, keep the rolled barley in a bucket but they keep knocking it over , someone told me you can get a hanging basket type feeder where they can peck from and it wouldn't attract any vermen? Any help appreciated! Cheers!

SligoEdo

We just use an old bowl as a feeder. Over the course of a few days, see how much they will eat..that way you won't overfill the bowl. Then at night, empty any remaining food back into the bag/bin you store their food in. I'm not too sure about those hanging feeders..I've never used one...but rats/mice can climb.

cottager83

Thanks, ya was told to bring it in at night alright, do they knock over the bowl much?

SligoEdo

cottager83 wrote: »

Thanks, ya was told to bring it in at night alright, do they knock over the bowl much?

No, never.

aonb

Cottager83, you could always put some bricks around the bucket, to stop them knocking it over - they are probably jumping up on the bucket rim to get at the food? Most feed stores and farmshops will stock hen feeders - the best ones I have found, are the ones with an 'umbrella' or 'hat' as a lid, that keeps the food dry.

(By the way, are you ONLY feeding them barley - layers pellets are the best option - barley wont give them all the nutrients they need)

cottager83

Ya I give them the barley and also any food scraps also, must keep an eye out for those feeders, thanks. God they do ****e a lot but I guess it will bring on the compost!what do people do if heading away for a few days? I leave plenty water and make sure bucket is full.

flutered

there are various items which can be purchased, online especially, these are especially made and have been proven sucessfully to work in all conditions, keeping food dry and away from vermin, where one has chickens there are rats, so keeping poison down and keep changing the type of poison.