The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: DenisCooper on May 24, 2020, 08:54:05 am
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Hi,
Has anyone used or had experience with the rat proof chicken feeders. The ones where they have a platform to step on to lift the lid to the feed.
We’ve just finished the new night time enclosure for the hens and laid hardcore on the floor and buried thick galvanised wire around the edges as we started seeing more evidence of rats. So I was thinking of getting one of these feeders but don’t want to waste my money if they aren’t any good.
Thanks
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We have had a grandpa feeder and it worked well
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I bought a granpa "type" feeder. Looked more or less the same but a quarter of the price. It was (and still is) CRAP. The bolts kept coming undone and it didn't work properly anyway. Only the peafowl could feed from it. It's now it pieces as it self destructed once too often. I may one day get incentivised to modify it.
MORAL - pay that extra and get the real thing!
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We have Grandpa feeders too and they work very well
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Yes saw the grandpa ones and they look well built. The others with similar function look a bit cheaper.
So worth the investment in a grandpa one. Looks like they do a 24 month guarantee
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Yep, we've had Granpa ones for years. Very pleased with them - both function and quality
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Another vote for the grandpa feeder but it took a while for this flock to work it out. I thought they were not so bright!
Now if there is one who cannot squeeze in they have learned to jump on the open lid to scatter the feeding birds and jump into their place. So pretty smart really.
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Yep, GENUINE grandpa!
Got mine 4 years ago and once they were used to it, noticed how the feed lasted longer. Did consider buying alternatives but didn't like the fact they all seemed to be taller but thinner. My hen house floor, like the rest of the property is wonky so the low solid build of the GP is perfect.
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The Grandpa comes with instructions about training the birds to use it, you do it over a week or so. Just setting it up and waiting for them to work it out would take longer ;)
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We have a similar feeder (one of the cheaper, tall, thin models but find that a lot of feed ends up on the floor around the feeder. We can't see anywhere it is 'leaking' feed so assume it must be that they are throwing it around as they feed. Does anyone else have this with either the Grandpa feeder or the lookalikes?
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We had some scatter once the ducks discovered it. ::) (Ducks feed by scooping.) There is a mesh insert you can put in which makes it harder for the ducks to steal / scatter the food.
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Wayfarer - we have a similar feeder to yours and have the same problem. We also have a Grandpa feeder - much better!