 |
| Photo Credit |
I came across this great invention when searching on better ways to reduce waste on my homestead. So to join us today is Lisa Ruminski of Backyard Chick, creator of the The Ultimate Fowl Feeder.
Not Your Grandpa's Chicken Feeder
“That’s not worth chicken feed!” is an expression that alludes to a trifling amount of money. The phrase came into usage in the 1800s when cracked corn and other grains too small for other livestock were considered a cheap feed for the family flock. Not these days, though…especially if you are buying organic feed.
Our hens are endlessly entertaining and provide us with gorgeous, healthful eggs, but
they’re chickens and they are determined and purposeful when they eat…seeking out
their favorite morsels and tossing the layer crumble willy-nilly out of their feeders.
We tried a number of commercial and Do-It-Yourself feeders, in different configurations,
at different heights, and in different locations. My husband Eddie (a mechanical engineer
who borders on OCD regarding wastefulness) was determined to design something that
would reduce what he estimates to be 25% of feed wasted with typical feeders.
The result is The Ultimate Fowl Feeder. The key to reducing waste is to
minimize “billing out”. Because the feeder openings are just large enough for the hens to
get their beaks in – but not bill out the feed – waste is virtually eliminated.
Another advantage of this design is less frequent refilling. The feeder holds 25 pounds of
layer crumble – enough to feed 12 hens for approximately one week. And, because it is
gravity-fed, the crumble slides down and is smoothly dispensed until empty.
In response to feedback from some of our early customers, Eddie has now developed
some accessories for the feeder, including a solid cover to foil night-feeding rodents, a
wall-mount bracket and a set of hanging hooks.
Our flock of 40 laying hens earn their salt (or their feed) by producing about two dozen
eggs a day, which we sell to friends and neighbors. With The Ultimate Fowl Feeder we
have now made the endeavor a bit more profitable, much less wasteful and quite a bit
tidier.
 | |
| Photo Credit |
No comments:
Post a Comment