Use appropriate feeders to reduce waste and contamination

Use feeders designed to keep feed clean, dry, and prevent animals from scattering or soiling it. Hanging feeders for chickens, wall-mounted hay racks for goats, and J-type feeders for rabbits all reduce waste and prevent manure contamination of feed.

Why It Works

Animals eating contaminated feed ingest parasites and bacteria. Chickens naturally scratch at their food, scattering ground feed across the floor where it mixes with droppings. Proper feeders can reduce feed waste by 20-30%, saving money and reducing disease risk.

Tips

• Hang chicken feeders at back height of the smallest bird to minimize scratching
• Ensure enough feeder space so all animals can eat without excessive competition — at least 4 inches of feeder space per chicken
• Clean feeders weekly and immediately if feed gets wet or moldy