[langdon]

when it has been dry for the last month or so and then it suddendly rains like today
and you arent expecting it, resulting in the chucks food getting wet, is it ruined totally
or is it still ediable?

[Roxy]

Rain?  What rain?  Send us a bit please, we are desparate for water.

My hens do not mind eating the wet feed, but there again they are all greedy girls.

[Daveravey]

It'll still be ok, just turned the pellets into mash.

I take it you feed them pellets  

[shetlandpaul]

but get rid of the next day

[langdon]

why the next day ?
forgive the ignorance!

[Roxy]

Once its gone wet, it will go smelly and stale and not nice.  Not that my hungry mob leave any for the next day, so no problem here.

[shetlandpaul]

does anyone know if there is a grant for supporting starlings, sparrows, gulls at least 3 types and hooded crows. the hens now beat up gulls. they caught one in a corner and hammered it. watch the chucks they are tough. i must be supporting at least 10% of the bird population.
the starling are even bringing there young down and feeding them. so like you none left.
however its stale if it gets wet and not good for your hens.

[valr]

"they caught one in a corner and hammered it " LOL! 

Like you, I am finding lots of birds brazenly eating my chicken feed...  however one of them fell victim to Archie my ginger Tom today - poor thing had a slow and lingering death.  I think it was a finch of some sort. At least he ate it I suppose.

Mine wont touch the pellets once they get wet. I had also read they go stale when they get wet so you need to chuck them.

[Hermit]

Why not keep the feed in the coop? I dont put food outside at all. No starlings and doesnt get wet!

[shetlandpaul]

nope we tried that. the coop and store were full of starlings. im going to try the cd trick and see if that works.

[Wizard]

I have been following this with some interest.When I was a lad and youth all the hens had mash which is the food mixed with water and nice and stiff. I cannot remember when pelleted food came on the scene in the mid 50's, but all it is is mash forced through a die of the manufacturer's choice Layers pellets are considerably smaller than sow and weaner and pig nuts.Bibby's used to do Dairy Nuts like small balls. Cannot see why the hens won't eat them if wet without of course you are over feeding them anyway.Only an observation no fixed rule

[Daisys Mum]

We have a scarcrow who stands guard over the feeder and so far this seems to be keeping the crows at bay. We do have a seagull who is not scared of him but I don't mind one as long as he does not bring his mates along

[langdon]

i leave the feed out on a dry day, i find this helps to keep the chuck house that bit cleaner.
as tesco says- every little bit helps!
langdon

[Wizard]

Hello langdon. Blimey! I've always thought that, That was the old lady that had a tinkle in the sea

[jacob and Georgina]

i have made a small shelter, just 4 posts a roof and three sides, i put their food and water under here and it keeps all food dry and prevents larger birds getting in, might be an idea as it is so cheap and easy to do plus the hens use it for shade and to get out of the rain. i have sween some on wheels also so that if you move your hens the shelter can move with them??