[ManicMum]

I was thinking how quickly the pellets were going down and how hungry the girls must be when I realised that, as soon as humans weren't around, hordes of sparrrows are shooting out of the hedge and scoffing chicken feed.

I can't cover or fully enclose the area - does anyone have any ideas of how to discourage the wild birds without frightening the chickens? 

We wondered about shiny CDs dangling over the feeders, we wondered if putting them under a bit of cover would make them scarier for wild birds....

Any suggestions gratefully received.....

[snowdrops]

there's a feeder called grandpa's feeders I believe.The chicken has to stand on a plate on the floor that then allows access to the feed. It was featured on Gardeners world a couple of weeks ago

[joyfull]

google treadle feeders 

[Lindeggs]

Yes I have a Grandpa's feeder (it's just one brand of treadle feeder).  It was expensive to buy but well worth the expense in feed savings.  It took my girls a while to get used to it - six weeks of training rather than the recommended three!  But I'm glad I persisted.

My naughty chickens still dig some of the feed out with their beaks and leave it on the ground for the sparrows  but I've still saved a fortune in feed.

[mjd]

http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=56638-building-a-treadle-feeder