Duck and Hen Feeder/water

Clo-Clo · 19-10-2023 2:27pm #1

Hi

I have ducks and hens which are free range, only 5 hens and 2 ducks. We have had no issues but of course now we have a few little friends coming to the feed. Mostly because the ducks fire it everywhere/

Just wondering what people recommend to feed them? i see lots of the feeders which open when the hen/duck steps onto it but wondering if these work?

Also for water, what do people use? Thanks

Rows Grower · 19-10-2023 2:44pm

This crowd stock everything will give you advice on what's best for your situation if you ring or email them...

https://www.maceoinltd.com/poultry-equipment/poultry-chicken-feeders/

emaherx · 19-10-2023 4:00pm

Don't have ducks, but have a few hens. We had issues with crows and magpies coming for the food but switched feeders for treadle feeders and no issues since.

Aravo · 19-10-2023 8:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121259401#Comment_121259401

For water I made something like the following.

https://youtu.be/pvw-7q-ncKM?feature=shared

Have a 3ltr water bottle sitting in a round celebrations box.

For the feed I have the treadle feeder exactly like the one emaherx has shown. I got mine from maceoin ltd. I think the one I have is 12kg. good and sturdy and won't be blown over. I also got from maceoin ltd a chicken guard extreme that is an automatic door opening and closing mechanism great job.

Clo-Clo · 19-10-2023 9:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121259401#Comment_121259401

Just wondering would Silkies be big enough to open it?

Aravo · 19-10-2023 10:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121260700#Comment_121260700

You set the weight required to open feeder so the weight of your lightest hen, it can be set from 450grams to 2500grams.

I find that some times you see 2 hens feeding at the feeder at the same time. So loads of weight to open feeder. A lighter hen would figure out to eat at the same time as another hen.

emaherx · 20-10-2023 9:55am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121260454#Comment_121260454

For water I use a 5ltr drum with holes drilled in the sides big enough for their heads and a float valve so it's self filling.

It's self filling but needs to be cleaned out regularly.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121260853#Comment_121260853

Can't say I noticed any such adjustment on mine, but then again it just worked out of the box with normal sized hens.

Clo-Clo · 01-11-2023 10:45pm

Thanks fro the help, picked up a Treadle feeder, the hens sem totally oblivious to it, tried putting a stone so they can see the feed, throwing feed around it

Any idea how to get them to actually use it? should I leave a stone on it to keep it open till they start to eat from it?

Aravo · 01-11-2023 11:03pm

Yes leave a stone on it for a few days. I would close at night to keep others away. Don't leave feed elsewhere. So this is the main feed area. They will use it. Maybe with a pencil, mark the feed level in the box so you will know that's it's been used. Check the weight setting on the feeder aswell.

Duck and Hen Feeder/water

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