scotslad Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 Alright folk's I didn't want to hijack the other thread similar to this about feeding duck ponds with auto feeders and a few folk said they use them for the pheasants too. But does anyone use the more expensive auto feeders (ie solway auto feeder) that either whistlles or buzzes before it spins the feed out to try and whistle the pheasants in the way a full time keeper would hand feed. The idea being u can move/draw them easier to different woods and have an idea wot time the majority of the pheasants should be in a wood. I posted on that duck thread i would be worried about blockages for duck feeders so ponds not gettin fed, not so worried about that with these as will still be other hoppers in the wood so birds can still get a feed Since we moved pens about due to forestry strugglin to get birds into a couple off different woods, which typically are our better drives; and i'm convinced these are the way forward but a big cost to a small shoot like ours (The solway ones are £400 each) Just wondering wot other folks experiences are? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 We haven't used them but the standard auto feeders are a lot cheaper and it would be interesting if the birds get used to the noise of them working as they can't be that quiet. I can see they might work for us in certain woods and stop it being as easy for the deer to empty feeders, round here the big issue would be how long they stayed about before walking off so to speak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bri308 Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 If you know anybody good with electronics I bet you could add a sort of whistle into it ,and wouldn't cost the earth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 We haven't used them but the standard auto feeders are a lot cheaper and it would be interesting if the birds get used to the noise of them working as they can't be that quiet. I can see they might work for us in certain woods and stop it being as easy for the deer to empty feeders, round here the big issue would be how long they stayed about before walking off so to speak they're not that quiet no, ours will bring in birds from the immediate area, ducks from 50 or 60 yards up stream (over noise of river!) The birds get more used to the set pattern and some will fly in from further a field. But this is all after the birds have found them so I'd imagine a whistle would work well too, easy to fix a whistle to sounds a it spins! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ostrea Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 I would of thought easy enough to wire one between the timer and the motor 6v buzzer less than a tenner, only thing is sound will only come on when spinning the food, I think the expensive feeders have a time delay sound first then feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted March 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 Aye i have thought about trying to bodge 1 together, and ur right ostrea the buzzer sounds before the spinner comes on ( I spoke to owner last year and i think only a 10sec buzzer before spin, i can remember standing whistling pheas for 10+ mins afore u fed if they were coming a distance). In theory u could have a 2nd timer connected to a buzzer if the 2 timers were set at the same time so buzzer could come on for 30 or so secs before it feeds. The big problem is keeping everything water tight and working, a few of the boys are doubting me so i don't want it to fail due to a cr*p bodge Was planning on putting them in the pen and so birds get used to the buzzer and will hopefully travel to it when it goes off. Really trying a rough copy off gettin the birds on the whistle. The only 2 people i know who have used them 1 got rid off them but when i spoke to him a bit more he had them on 2 drives quite close and only 11/2 hrs different feeed time and the birds used to fly from the 1st to the 2 nd drive. Not ideal for him ( he just gave them away, just 4 years too late for me) the 2nd time was on a shoot open day/walk for the GCT and the owner reckoned 1 shoot they lined out for a drive too early not thinking and the buzzers went off as they stood and all the birds flew past them to fill the drive up So i'm pretty convinced they will do what i want but was just looking for some more reccommendations as i'm as tight as 2 coats of paint and it's a lot off money but i do think be worth it, if i can show more off the better birds on the shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graiglearn Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 24hr timer ,set at 5min to whistle at 8am connect rundown timer to motor from same timer to spin for 10 sec rundown timers on evil bay all work on 12v Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Is it really going to matter if the wheat is on the floor when the birds get there?, if the whistle means feeding is in progress and the birds get to know that early on in the pen they will be more eager and quicker to respond to the whistle, if you only want to feed a cover once a day then set the second timer to go off ten mins after the first run, but either restrict time or size of the hole leading to spinner plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graiglearn Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 as I sad set whistle for your feed time, if you have feeding left -they are not coming so set to whistle for longer , will not matter when they come as long as whistle suits your needs ,if ground or straw is torn to shreds -they are there ,wont all come at once ,may have dominant cocks so others will skirt till they are gone ,trial trial trial and you still will have different numbers, but depending on breed would be the same as hand feeding , I tried kansas and they vanish when you human whistle, cross breeds come to you and your whistle.am still auto feeding at 1400ft with kansas at 8am but show your face and FLUSH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 (edited) we run the Cabella feeders, we connected a small buzzer to the motor + - the feeder spins at day break the buzzer sounds as the feed is spun out. our keeper was testing one this year and a few seconds after the buzzer stopped a Roe doe stuck it`s head out of the trees a few feet away, he said he expected it to say was that the food buzzer the birds get used to the time of feed in relation to daylight so with hindsight the buzzer is prob not necessary Edited March 18, 2013 by malantone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 agree with getting used to time of day, but the buzzer is about birds being drawn to covers away from the release area by the noise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianb Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 I converted my automatic feeders that they whistle fo 15 mins. Feeder/ feeders in release pens from poults arrive. So they are well used to whistle meaning food by the time they are starting to leave pens. Only downside that I have encountered is drives need to be well spaced out. Or as soon as whistle goes mass exdous of nieghbouring drives ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted March 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 Cheers folks for the replies, i think i will have a go at making 1 myself. I have been wanting some for a couple of years but could never afford them and thought opening a sealed motor unit up was just asking for trouble, never thought of a seperate timer till i started this thread. So u both find the homemade versions work well, did u have any teething problems i should watch out for? Also do u know any good internet electronic shops that sells stuff like this, i had a search bt no specialist 12v suplliers really came up, more a mixture of 240v and all sorts. The buzzers i found also tended to be car alarm type 100db's, i don't imagine that would be ideal for settling new birds into a pen, might be good to call them from a bit away later on thou, so do any of u use a volume type switch for buzzers. Do u have any problems with weather/dampness gettin into the components? Thought i could mibee seal them into an airtight sandwich box type thing. Does either the type of auto feeder make a difference or the type of timer motor or u use is (ie anolouge or digital) Finally wot type off battery do u run them off, normal 12v car battery's or the proper caravan style liesure batteries and how long would a battery last typically say only 1 shortish feed a day. Does cold weather/frost affect battery life Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted April 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 Just a quick follow up, been looking at various auto feeders and there seems to be a wide range in price (from £50ish to £120+) but all seem to do much the same nad i can see little difference between them. Is there any i should avoid or better quality makes. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeper1 Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 Hello, I am new to this site. Can anyone help. I have just read that you have an auto feeder with a buzzer. We have the same feeder with a siren and it works ok, but as soon as you conect it to the hopper full of wheat the motor on the feeder will not spln, remove it from the hopper and it's ok , has anyone got a solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moongeese Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 I have used them, all fitted with whistle, they are a great idea, but instead of filling it, and not having to go back for a week or so, I found I was looking them almost daily for fear of them not running, and the birds not getting their food. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 I have just managed to get hold of three auto feeders non buzzing. I have seen the working and they are noisy enough when chucking the feed out. I will be interested to hear how yours end up working. My plan is to start them in the pen as the birds grown move them slowly to where I want the birds, I am hoping they will follow the feeders. What are you filing your autofeeders with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 (edited) Just had a quick look and loads of 12 volt buzzers are available from 64pence on the bay. Mini buzzers or warning buzzers or external speaker type buzzers around seven pounds. Edited June 22, 2017 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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