After the more difficult decision for the optimal food is met, the following question seems almost like a child’s game: feeding machine or feeding trough? what to feed my chickens, quails and co. The feed? Similarly choice of drinker it is also a question of whether you prefer an open (feeding trough) or closed vessel (feeder). With our comparison of the different models you can easily get an overview.
the quick comparison: "taste test
The main difference is that feeders a supply z. B. also provide for several days and the chickens always have clean and fresh feed available. automatic feeders are therefore a convenient variant for the keeper respectively. The keeper.
At feeders on the other hand you have a better control over the amount fed. The feed can always be portioned per day or even for morning / evening or z. B. When feeding laying meal, do not refill until the trough is completely empty, so that all the ingredients are eaten.
Feeders with a kick plate are a purchase that for many belong to the category "I would never want to miss again". automatic feeders protect the feeder from rodents and birding. The crux lies in getting the chickens used to the mechanics, which takes about a week. There is no better way to put it than in one of our customer reviews: "you just have to have a einstein under your feathered fowl and – poof – it works."
Our tip: in the first few days, the kicking flap can be secured with a weight (z. B. Stone) pressed down so remain open. As soon as the animals eat "without worrying" from the feeder, this s can be removed.
Feeders – with and without kick flap
- Closed system → food stays fresh longer and largely free of contamination
- Refilling of the feeding trough by automatic slipping of the food
- Available with (height adjustable) feed fence → adjustable to different types of feed (meal, pellets, grains, granules, etc.).)
- The feeding fence prevents the feeding of the animals, divides them into feeding areas
- Quick and easy to fill (via top opening with lid)
- Suitable for large and small poultry
- Colorful designs or also made of metal
- size (capacity) selectable according to number of animals
- Various materials:
- Robust plastic → can not rust
- (galvanized) metal → best possible hygiene and durability, robust and hard-wearing
Small "after-taste" (disadvantages)
- Closed system → if not transparent, then the fill level with the remaining supply is not easily visible
- In the case of laying meal, chickens may try to scrape out unpleasant components in order to get their hands on the particularly tasty chunks
- Red feeder 5 kg / 18 kg, infinitely adjustable (feet optional as supplement)
- Yellow feeder for 5 or 18 kg food with feet and feeding places
- Yellow feeder for 8 or 15 kg feed with feeding grid and feet – special feeding grid against scrape out of the feed 5 kg with feet for poultry
- Light green, small feeder with feet 2 kg for chicks, quails, chickens 12 / 20 kg to protect against uninvited guests
Feeding troughs
- Access from all sides
- With feeding grid:
- Sufficient feeding places are created → promotes undisturbed pecking
- Prevents the scrapping out of feed (feed loss)
- no sitting on the feed, chickens can’t get the idea to bathe in the feed à better hygiene
"small after-taste" (disadvantages)
- Completely open at the top (except for the food grid)
- Needs to be refilled more frequently
- Manufacturer intended only for placing on the floor
- Light green feeding trough for chickens made of painted metal 50 cm for chickens 40 cm 20 or 40 cm in pink or orange 50 cm 30 and 50 cm
Additional feed containers, e.g. B. As an occupational toy
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in the first days of life 24 cm plastic in 2 sizes with colored anti-slip bottom – z.B. For wet food "salad dispenser"
- Original yellow snack ball for treats for alfalfa, lettuce leaves, grasses to hang, also for alfalfa, carrot greens
Conclusion feeder vs. Feed chute:
As you can see, the difference in price is not too big either. The standard feeding grid prevents the biggest "mischief", the waste of food resp. -soiling already somewhat prevented. For particularly keen chickens, there is a special model with a special feeding grid or even the feeders with a kick flap, which also protect against uninvited guests. In principle, you only have to choose a container that suits the number of birds, their age and height – and of course, your taste.