Treadle feeder?

Hello!

Does anyone have a treadle feeder or experience of using one? My hens are out in a field near our church and I fear I am feeding the resident rooks at vast expense.

I've had the girls for 5-6 weeks, all are laying daily (with the odd day gap) and they have settled in really well. Would they be OK with the change, would they be bright enough to figure it out? They are generally VERY food orientated!

Many thanks
E

When we first got our girls, a sack of feed lasted around 3 weeks in the 2 feeders. 

Then I think the wild birds found it and the sack lasted 10 days with both feeders completely empty every day - so I don't even know if the chickens had enough pellets.

A treadle feeder (sourced 2nd hand from fleabay) means my sack of food now lasts between 3 & 4 weeks & the wild birds are much less active in the run.

As a bonus, the treadle feeder stays out so one less job when putting them to bed.

Using cereal packets, I worked out the chickens needed to be 800g to work the treadle.  It only took them about 3 or 4 days to work out how to get at the food - they're not stupid when it comes to their stomachs!

Ordered mine today and can't wait for it to arrive.  That + the auto pop hole makes life so easy.  Just a daily poo pick and giving treats etc.  I can go away at weekends as well....

Thanks so much for your advice - I think it's definitely the way to go my first bag of food lasted 4 weeks, the second just about 2!

How much does a rook weigh?

still I guess you can adjust the weight bit? my girls are all pretty big so it should be OK.

Thanks again!

E

Mine arrived today and she loves it!  We are currently in training using a brick on the treadle but she loves to stand and peck it!

Now all I need is a gadget to stop her pooing all over my garden path.....