I bought a treadle style feeder at western ranchman and I'm so frustrated. I tried following the directions it came with and the chickens are terrified of it. The treadle is too small my girls can eat the food off either it or the lid without touching it. If they accidentally touch is they run away because it scares them. I tried propping it open to get them used to it and they still wont step on the treadle they only eat from the sides where they don't have to stand on it. Finally I blocked it partially open but also blocked them from eating from the sides at least I thought I had but they either won't eat at all now because they step on the treadle it moves they run away or they stretch themselves in all sorts of weird ways to get the food from the side anyway. I've slowed it as much as I can for the speed of the lid coming down and still they are too scared of it. I'm about ready to try recouping some of my money and selling it on craigslist. Anyone have any ideas how to make my chickens eat from this thing? My husband is suggesting we throw it away, learn our lesson and cover the run with bird netting to keep the wild birds out.
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Looks like they finally figured it out! Phew! I went out to see them yesterday and they were on it eating. The funny part is I'd had it propped open for them so they could get into it but really needed to step on the treadle to get a good angle to eat from, and they had knocked the rock out that I had to hold it open and were happily going at it. The bigger girls still seem a little uncertain but my younger girls have it so I know it'll work out fine. Thanks everyone!
Just a little update. They still won't use it if it isn't held open but they are not running from it as far so they might be getting used to it. They dash back about a foot now when it opens because they step on it. Still no one brave to stand her ground though. And I have some very mad hens. I go in to see them and they peck at my feet now, they mob me and peck me now. I used to go in and give them treats and pet them now I am the mean person withholding their food from them since I've stopped treats until they get used to the feeder because I want them hungry enough to use it.
I was going to get the plans and make one. One thing I thought of was to put felt on the edge of the lid so it wouldn't bang when it closed shut. It took quite a while for my girls to get used to the nipple waterer (and i still keep the old waterer up in their coop in case they forget _:< ) Apparently they are effective because many folks have used them successfully.
If you build one the things I have noticed are that the treadle is too small for full size chickens. Yes it is big enough for them to stand on but not large enough that they can't reach in and eat if it is open without stepping on the treadle. Also I think if the treadle wrapped around the sides it would help too. Plus maybe one with a controlled close. They do it on screen doors why not on a treadle feeder? I'm sure my smart husband would know what the name of the thing is that slows them down are but I know I've seen them for sale at Lowes. These would be the things I would do different. Plus just larger in general. It's a rather small feeder for eight hens. They cannot all eat at the same time.
How about putting their favorite food ever in it? Like mealworms? I know my chickens would (and DID) absolutely ANYTHING for their favorite treat.
where can I get mealworms? They've never had them and that is an interesting idea.
I actually have a big colony of mealworms I'm not using. BIG.
Want to sell some?
You can also raise them yourself. It's pretty easy. I have some growing in a box on my back porch.
Will they cook like red wigglers? I have some of those I'm using for vermicomposting but I really don't have room for another worm box in my laundry room, plus despite my best efforts it is still attracting fruit flies.
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