How in the world?!?

So I got 6 chicks last Saturday they are Isa Browns from what the store told us. I was giving them food and water through small dishes but have now started using a feeder and waterer. I've had to raise the waterer so they will stop kicking bedding into it and I noticed they have been kicking the food out of the feeder and I don't understand how because they shouldn't be able to stick their foot in the hole to kick it out. How can I stop this action and also how can I stop them from kicking the bedding so much that there isn't any in some spots. They kick it and just keep pecking at the bottom of the tote I'm afraid they will hurt their beaks.

SunnySideChik said:

So I got 6 chicks last Saturday they are Isa Browns from what the store told us. I was giving them food and water through small dishes but have now started using a feeder and waterer. I've had to raise the waterer so they will stop kicking bedding into it and I noticed they have been kicking the food out of the feeder and I don't understand how because they shouldn't be able to stick their foot in the hole to kick it out. How can I stop this action and also how can I stop them from kicking the bedding so much that there isn't any in some spots. They kick it and just keep pecking at the bottom of the tote I'm afraid they will hurt their beaks.

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If you watch closely, they stick their little feet in the feeder holes to knock the food out. They enjoy digging around in the litter to find it again. It won't hurt them. You can keep raising the waterer or you can hang a bucket or bottle of water and use poultry nipples. No more mess.

Thanks for your response. I've put the waterer on top of an upside down Tupperware container I'm hoping that helps. They have kicked a lot of their food out and it's just sitting there and they don't really eat it and they are kicking up the bedding where no food is and its on the complete opposite side of the tote

Long ago, I had the same problems you are having, so I came up with a way to modify and hang a chick water bottle. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/957712/how-to-hang-a-chick-water-bottle

I stuck a stick into slots cut into the sides of the brooder to have a device from which to hang the bottle. No more dirty water, and it can't be knocked over, either, as yours soon will be, just resting on top a plastic bowl.

As for wasting food, I've solved that problem as well by fermenting the chick feed. There's no way they can beak out or scratch out the food, since I put it into an ice cube tray with a top slid over it made from bent half inch hardware cloth. I bend the piece of hardware cloth into a "u" shape and it slides onto the ice cube tray, which is hot-glued onto a piece of wood for added weight and stability.

To ferment the feed, add equal parts feed and warm water with a dash of ACV (apple cider vinegar with the "mother") and stir and keep in a warm place for 48 hours, then feed, stirring twice a day. Make another batch as you use up half the first batch, using a spoon full of that batch as "starter" for the new batch.

The FF has all kinds of good nutrients, probiotics, and the chicks adore it. Best part is zero waste. I also feed it to my adult flock and I have two hen age seven who are still laying regularly.