Alycidon Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 For the last 10 or 12 years we have used Sycon spring feeders in the bottom of both 45 gallon and 10 gallon drums, I have several hundred out as we use multpal springs on the big drums. We have occasional issues with deer and more commonly Badgers bending the springs and allowing the drum to empty. I have tried the anti deer spikes with limited success and the T bars to stop them stretching. I have also seen pigeons hovering and using the spring and rats and squirrels swinging on one. I need to order another 30 or so and was thinking about trying a few of the pan feeder they do instead. I am though worried that a build up of moisture within the pan will cause blockages, we only feed wheat in these feeders. Also the birds reaction to the pans. I suppose I could put a couple at very low level in the pens initilly. Anybody tried the pans and if so what is the verdict when compared to springs. Thanks for your input. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PheasantMan Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 We took all our springs off on all our feeders on the shoot and laying pens and changed all to pans dont have any trouble atall really as long as you havnt got any lumps or anything that will block them only trouble we did have is someone kept spilling the water off the lid into the feed which then cause lumps to block. I would say everytime we feed maybe 1 in 30 gets blocked if any i just take a little metal rod round with me so i can just shove down if its blocked and problem solved! I would prefer pans to springs anyday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferretboy111 Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 I also will be changing my springs into pan feeders, ive found that birds prefer eating from pan feeders than springs however so does everything else. never had any problems with moisture, although blockages occur but no more than I get blocks in my springs. Definately worth a try. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted March 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 How high do you set the pans off the ground for pheasants?, I would guess about 9 inches. I suspect they need to be lower than springs so that the bird can get its head over the top. I suppose that might save me re legging a few barrels where the bottoms of the feet have rotted out. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tikka tom Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 springs for me also letter boxes we allways put them at nee hight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattSoanes Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 We ran pan feeders along with spring feeders last season, found that blockages were about the same as on the spring feeders. The birds did seem to prefer using them though. Also found that the muntys soon sussed them out, maybe we had them a little too high. We also bought several minolas, they are good and never get blocked, but again the deer soon sussed them out and would fick the hood off and feast!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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