Duck and Hen Feeder/water

Clo-Clo

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just wondering would Silkies be big enough to open it?

Aravo

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

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

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

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.