The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Mungo24 on October 13, 2014, 08:36:48 pm

Title: Rat proof feeder
Post by: Mungo24 on October 13, 2014, 08:36:48 pm: Evening

Any recommendations on rat proof feeders? Ideally weatherproof as well.

Thanks
Title: Re: Rat proof feeder
Post by: nutterly_uts on October 13, 2014, 09:42:13 pm: The galvanised treadle feeders are supposed to be really good

http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Galvanised_Treadle_Poultry_Feeder.html (http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Galvanised_Treadle_Poultry_Feeder.html)
Title: Re: Rat proof feeder
Post by: Stereo on October 14, 2014, 08:45:39 am: I've just bought one of these

http://www.molevalleyfarmers.com/mvf/store/products/stockshop-treadle-chicken-feeder-galvanised (http://www.molevalleyfarmers.com/mvf/store/products/stockshop-treadle-chicken-feeder-galvanised)

Not assembled it yet but will report back once I've tried it. We've got an ever growing rat problem in our main run.
Title: Re: Rat proof feeder
Post by: Dan on October 14, 2014, 09:48:49 am: We've used these for a few years now, not the cheapest treadle feeders but very reliable and robust:

http://www.grandpasfeeders.co.uk/ (http://www.grandpasfeeders.co.uk/)
Title: Re: Rat proof feeder
Post by: chrismahon on October 14, 2014, 01:15:09 pm: We have grandpa's feeders which we haven't needed to use yet. They are very well constructed indeed, but I have felt the need to tune the balance of the assembly by adding lead to the underside of the treadle. They will be great for a flock of large hens all about the same weight, but I don't think you could use them reliably on lighter breeds.

Be aware the birds need training to use them and during that time the unit needs to be under cover to protect from rain.
Title: Re: Rat proof feeder
Post by: Stereo on October 14, 2014, 01:41:39 pm: Partly why I haven't deployed mine yet. Too wet. Need a week of dry so I can leave it open, at least during the day. I will leave another feeder in the house for a while in case some hens can't work it out quickly.
Title: Re: Rat proof feeder
Post by: Northernhippy on October 17, 2014, 08:48:55 pm: I use a galvanised treadle feeder, it has an overhang that keeps the treadle dry. I keep a brick on the top to keep vermin out and stop the top blowing open in windy weather. I have it standing on a pallet with a metal sheet on top of the pallet. This allows the feeder to stay above the grass/mud/weeds, (depending on the time of year) and raising it on a pallet leaves a space underneath to regularly throw in a couple of Big Cheese rat poison blocks where the chooks can't reach 'em!! I put a brick on the treadle to keep it open for the first day but one the gang knew the food was in there they had no problem standing in the right place. You can fit plenty of feed into these units and several chooks can feed at the same time. It is important to clean it out regularly so spoilt feed isn't consumed. I can highly recommend treadle feeders, I wouldn't use anything else.