My new feeders and waterers :)

[BarnyardChaos]

Are you mixing that dust with water and feeding to your birds? Mine love it.

I haven't had to empty dust from the totes yet, as I've only been using them for a few weeks. When I used the metal feeder troughs only, I just left the dust in the bottom and filled on top of it, stirring it up with my fingers. When the dust built up too much, I dumped it all into one feeder and put that one feeder in their favorite feeding spot or just dumped it on the ground. Either way, they cleaned it up. I haven't mixed any with water, as I've been afraid of creating spoilage or a worse mess I'd have to clean out.

Anticipating the dust accumulation from the totes will be much greater, I'll take your suggestion to heart and try feeding it to them as a mash. Should be fun!

 

[BarnyardChaos]

That photo was yesterday. The raccoon came back, with a whole bunch of his buddies and they had a party! What I found this morning, at BOTH feeders:

Enough is enough!
I FIXED IT with a cordless drill and a few nails.

They hadn't bothered the feeder in the cockerels' camp yet, but I'm sure it would only be a matter of time. I fixed their feeder, too - but since the caps were made differently, it worked better with these to drill into the cap's handle. Same success, though - I cannot pull it out!

Yeah, so now it's a PITA to put the feeders up at night, having to fit each port with a nail - but it's still better than carrying feeders in and out of the coop twice a day for rodent control.

We'll see what tomorrow brings

Well... tomorrow and the next day and the next came and went. And that crafty, sly, determined raccoon and I have been going round and round since that last post above. I have declared WAR, and he's been up to the challenge.

I tried adding a second nail to each port.
Didn't even slow him down.

I tried blocking the feeders all the way around with concrete blocks and what-have-you.
He got his paws around the edges and got the nails out and ports open anyway.

I tried piling more blocks, extending them out, adding scraps of 2x6 boards in the gaps.
He only laughed at me and stuffed his belly.

I tried setting a wildlife cage trap.
He sprung the trap but got away, dragging the cage halfway across the run.
And got his fill at the feeders.

I set the trap a few more times.
Ah, but he's on to my methods now, and won't come near the trap.
Meanwhile, dinner is served.

Finally, some inspiration from looking at a few of these near the barn:

I pulled the tank out, cut off the top, and screwed some 2x4's around the edges to give it some weight and stability around the opening. Made a cover that can be tipped over the feeder at night, and tipped back in the morning. EASY-PEASY!!!

Keeping fingers crossed, but that damn critter hasn't gotten into the feeders for five straight nights now.

 

[Mouthpear]

I just wanted to share my recent project of upgrading the chickens' waterers and feeders with everyone! I've just become weary of dragging feeders into and out of the coop twice a day (I don't like to feed racoons), and refilling waterers that leak, for 40 chickens - and I've got a bunch of youngsters coming along to go into another pen and coop. So finally, I ordered the parts and put them together. Two each for the big run, one for the cockerels. (I still keep a feed trough in the big run, in case the roosters object to sticking their heads into the feeder ports. Watching them to be sure none are refused access to it.)

Here's one of the feeders (oops! I see now I forgot to close one of the latches). I used a tote that is water-tight around the lid with a rubber seal. It holds about 70-80 pounds of feed I think. The ports have a cap that inserts fairly tight into the holes to secure it at night:

The port holes in these are 4-inches in diameter.

For the waterers, I used 5-gallon buckets with airtight lids that have a spout in the top and a screw-on cap. Makes it easy to fill with a garden hose and keeps water clean at all times. I just need to wipe out the cups once a day or so. (FYI I drilled a small air-hole near the top):

In this photo below, you can see my smaller "Schoolhouse" and "Nursery" coops in the background. Both have growing chicks inside. And the front end of the "Big Coop" where all the mature chickens live:

Anyway, I just wanted to share with someone, since my husband doesn't seem much interested

. He just enjoys the breakfast and dinner the chickens provide.

Thanks for following my stories! (@LhickenChicken might be interested in this.)

I don't get it. I don't see what everyone is gushing about. I mean it literally. The pictures are unviewable. Not as in I don't understand why people like it.

Any how this one is my waterer.

• Easy to put together,​
• 55 gallon capacity.​
• Easy to maintain​
• Almost an entirely closed system​
• Can be easily fitted with an auto fill feature.​
• Can be scale up or down​
• Free drums can be cleaned​
• Adding Vinegar or Food Grade Propylene Glycol Antifreeze is easy​
• Adding a circulation pump for winter time or for when adding vinegar or Food Grade Propylene Glycol Antifreeze is easy.​
• Adding heater can be done fairly easy​
• ​

Add auto fill feature.

You can also cut the top off and make it a pellet/scratch feeder. I eventually plan to make it look the same by having it inverted and cutting the bottom off and making it into a lid.

Like I did to the smaller Drum, only to the bottom.

Using one of these augers



Like I have in this other feeder.

It will agitate the feed and let only a bit at a time get, dumped into a smaller version, of this, stripped down to the troth, lid and foot actuator.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

I don't get it. I don't see what everyone is gushing about. I mean it literally. The pictures are unviewable. Not as in I don't understand why people like it.

View attachment 3603355

@Mouthpear, the pics were viewable when I first posted the thread back in April. I'm clueless about what happened to them, as they are unviewable to me now, too. Below, I'm going to re- try adding them in again so you can see:

Here's one of the feeders (oops! I see now I forgot to close one of the latches). I used a tote that is water-tight around the lid with a rubber seal. It holds about 70-80 pounds of feed I think. The ports have a cap that inserts fairly tight into the holes to secure it at night.

The port holes in these are 4-inches in diameter.

For the waterers, I used 5-gallon buckets with airtight lids that have a spout in the top and a screw-on cap. Makes it easy to fill with a garden hose and keeps water clean at all times. I just need to wipe out the cups once a day or so. (FYI I drilled a small air-hole near the top):

 

[BarnyardChaos]

and now for an update:

After using these feeders and waterers for four months now, I am ambivalent about their usefulness.

I like the waterers:

and will continue to use them, except in winter when I'll go back to the typical containers that can sit on a heated base and keep the water from freezing. These waterers have been working GREAT all summer long. Easy to fill, easy to clean the cups, and all the chickens like them.

@Mouthpear, I've never heard of using Propylene Glycol as an additive in the chickens' water to lower the freezing point. How much to use per gallon of water? Is there any danger to using it for chickens?

But I'm not happy with the feeder totes:

They are GREAT for doing everything I wanted them to do: hold a large quantity of feed, easy for the chickens to use (hens ok, but not roosters with large combs and wattles), and weatherproof. And when I drop the plastic IBC liner over them at night, they are rodent and scavenger-proof as well:

However, the DOWNSIDE to using these totes is the MESS, STINK, and FLIES. The chickens drag the feed out of the ports, even when the bottom end of the port is an inch below the opening, and scatter it everywhere. THEN when it rains and gets the ground wet, and I drop the IBC liner over the totes at night, the ground moisture cannot evaporate - so the feed mixed into the mud just ferments into a stinky, slimy sludge. And when the sun comes up, if I don't get out there immediately to tip the liners off of the totes, then a solar heating process begins - it warms the stinky, feed-filled sludge and creates the perfect environment for FLIES to hatch.

Every day this summer when I've lifted the liners off the totes, I'm swarmed by flies and stink. So I have to move the totes every time it rains. They each hold 100-pounds of feed and breaks my back to move them. So that's counterproductive to what I intended these feeder totes to do. Besides, I have to keep the metal trough feeders out anyway so the roosters can eat. What's the point?

Unless I can design an easy system to move the totes around the pen when it rains, and a way to ventilate the IBC liners, and reduce the amount of feed waste..... then I will probably ditch this feed system. It's not worth the mess and hassle.

 

[Friendthechicken]

Thanks for circling back with your experience! Sounds like a pain and appreciate your insight.

 

[Jmcintosh23]

Here are the totes I used:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRIS-Weath...Quart-Black-Tote-with-Latching-Lid/1001277976
$38.16 each in black, but I bought the gray a couple of years ago.
These are the ports I liked best:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8S54P6V?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
$19.99 for a 4-pack. I used 2-1/2 sets (10 total) for each tote, at about $50 per tote.

That makes my cost (pre-tax and shipping) at $88.16 per feeder.
NOT BAD at all.

These are the buckets I used:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Encore-Plastics-5-Gallon-General-Bucket/3694238
$7.98 each
Lowe's no longer has the lids I used, but this one is just like it:
https://www.amazon.com/Meranti-Gallon-Gasket-gallon-buckets/dp/B09MDQ41XV/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=5+gallon+bucket+lid+with+spout&qid=1680370869&sr=8-3&th=1
$12.98 each, but I'd order a 3-pack for $26.95 instead, makes each $8.98. (And they're available in other colors, I like that)
(Might be smart to order the buckets and lids from the same brand, same source - so they're sure to fit.)
And these watering cups:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089XZVZMP?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
$19.98 for a 5-pack. I used 6 cups per bucket, making the cost about $24 per waterer.

And that makes my cost (pre-tax and shipping) at about $41 per waterer.
Also NOT BAD at all.

My total outlay for 3 feeder totes and 3 watering buckets (estimating tax, and I got free shipping on all) was about $425.00.

There are of course much CHEAPER ways to make these, using less expensive containers and manufacturing your own ports with PVC pipe and parts. I just like the convenience of having all the parts together in one package, with the hole saw to make them.

How many times do you have to feed the chickens or fill water.. we washed the cat litter containers and use those to feed and water. We have to feeders and a water but we still use the waterers that you use in the winter not sure how long they will last but so far theyve been okay for a year. We have two of the ones you twist out for the other younger chickens. They are having a hard time with pushing in the button for water but they are 3 months old Ill have to check if they are ready by now..anyways it's working out okay. I fill them up everyday or later in the afternoon for the chickens In the bigger coop. And food every few days and in the bigger coop we have those tube sometimes I feel like they go through it in one or two days..they eat so much.

 

[Jmcintosh23]

and now for an update:

After using these feeders and waterers for four months now, I am ambivalent about their usefulness.

I like the waterers:
View attachment 3612026
and will continue to use them, except in winter when I'll go back to the typical containers that can sit on a heated base and keep the water from freezing. These waterers have been working GREAT all summer long. Easy to fill, easy to clean the cups, and all the chickens like them.

@Mouthpear, I've never heard of using Propylene Glycol as an additive in the chickens' water to lower the freezing point. How much to use per gallon of water? Is there any danger to using it for chickens?

But I'm not happy with the feeder totes:
View attachment 3612027
They are GREAT for doing everything I wanted them to do: hold a large quantity of feed, easy for the chickens to use (hens ok, but not roosters with large combs and wattles), and weatherproof. And when I drop the plastic IBC liner over them at night, they are rodent and scavenger-proof as well:
View attachment 3612032
View attachment 3612033

However, the DOWNSIDE to using these totes is the MESS, STINK, and FLIES. The chickens drag the feed out of the ports, even when the bottom end of the port is an inch below the opening, and scatter it everywhere. THEN when it rains and gets the ground wet, and I drop the IBC liner over the totes at night, the ground moisture cannot evaporate - so the feed mixed into the mud just ferments into a stinky, slimy sludge. And when the sun comes up, if I don't get out there immediately to tip the liners off of the totes, then a solar heating process begins - it warms the stinky, feed-filled sludge and creates the perfect environment for FLIES to hatch.

Every day this summer when I've lifted the liners off the totes, I'm swarmed by flies and stink. So I have to move the totes every time it rains. They each hold 100-pounds of feed and breaks my back to move them. So that's counterproductive to what I intended these feeder totes to do. Besides, I have to keep the metal trough feeders out anyway so the roosters can eat. What's the point?

Unless I can design an easy system to move the totes around the pen when it rains, and a way to ventilate the IBC liners, and reduce the amount of feed waste..... then I will probably ditch this feed system. It's not worth the mess and hassle.

I just read all this.. well yes I do hate the flies and I see your frustration.. I was just thinking of some kind of shelter to put the food and water under.. my mom and neighbor told me about these fly trap bags i was thinking of getting those. But I'm not sure what to do we have some of ours hanging the cat litter turned containers and but I have to move my other ones around bc sometimes I see mold underneath where its been raining and the squishy mud is trapped.. so I've noticed that it gets really muddy and squishy and puddles and slippery and I feel like I need to do something like add rocks.. I don't clean much but I try to keep out the containers that we use sometimes they don't get put away and the rain and dirt from the chickens gets in them.maybe you could pull it with a rope so it can dry out there.. well the feeder in our bigger coop is a tube attached to the coop and it is pointed downward to under the coop and it doesn't really get wet but they do scratch it out everywhere so not sure what to say to that..hope you find an answer.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

How many times do you have to feed the chickens or fill water.. [......] sometimes I feel like they go through it in one or two days..they eat so much.

Well, it's complicated, but I need to look at my numbers anyway, so thank you for asking. Let's see...... At the moment I have about 55-60 chickens, not sure - I haven't taken a hard head count in a couple of months. And I've raised 120 or so chicks this spring and bought 5 more nearly mature birds. There've been subtractions as well (culled, sold, processed, or predated), but I'd say 60 is a good average number to use for calculating.

Only four are in their own little pen. They eat about 7-8 pounds per week. They just have a little tray (actually, the bottom 3-inches or so I've cut from a cat litter bucket), and I give them one scoop (16-oz cottage cheese container) per day, and there's always some left over. They make no noticeable mess at all. I only freshen their waterers (2-3 gal standard plastic screw-on lid with a tray) about once a week - multiple in case one fails, and I only change water to keep it from going sour.

All the rest of the flock is in a big coop and run, with the two 100-lb. tote feeders and three @ 6-lb. metal trough feeders. I add a 4-gal bucket of feed (@ 20-lbs) to both feeders about once a week as needed, and re-fill the trough feeders every day. I've just looked at our feed consumption since January, and it averages out to about 600-lbs. of feed per month. For 60 birds, that's about 19-lbs. per day for the whole flock, or 2.2 pounds per bird, per week.

Hmmm.... pretty typical. Now that I've looked at the numbers, it's not so bad as I thought, really.

Waterers in the big pen are two 5-gal. bucket/cup waterers, and three supplemental standard waterers of about 2-3 gal. each. I rinse and refill each of them about once or twice a week - probably, hmmm.... 30-40 gal. per week, not counting the water I dump out. Less in cool rainy weather of course, and more during dry heat waves.... but it averages to about 1.3-1.5 cups of water per bird, per day.

I hope this info helps.

 

[Jmcintosh23]

Well, it's complicated, but I need to look at my numbers anyway, so thank you for asking. Let's see...... At the moment I have about 55-60 chickens, not sure - I haven't taken a hard head count in a couple of months. And I've raised 120 or so chicks this spring and bought 5 more nearly mature birds. There've been subtractions as well (culled, sold, processed, or predated), but I'd say 60 is a good average number to use for calculating.

Only four are in their own little pen. They eat about 7-8 pounds per week. They just have a little tray (actually, the bottom 3-inches or so I've cut from a cat litter bucket), and I give them one scoop (16-oz cottage cheese container) per day, and there's always some left over. They make no noticeable mess at all. I only freshen their waterers (2-3 gal standard plastic screw-on lid with a tray) about once a week - multiple in case one fails, and I only change water to keep it from going sour.

All the rest of the flock is in a big coop and run, with the two 100-lb. tote feeders and three @ 6-lb. metal trough feeders. I add a 4-gal bucket of feed (@ 20-lbs) to both feeders about once a week as needed, and re-fill the trough feeders every day. I've just looked at our feed consumption since January, and it averages out to about 600-lbs. of feed per month. For 60 birds, that's about 19-lbs. per day for the whole flock, or 2.2 pounds per bird, per week.

Hmmm.... pretty typical. Now that I've looked at the numbers, it's not so bad as I thought, really.

Waterers in the big pen are two 5-gal. bucket/cup waterers, and three supplemental standard waterers of about 2-3 gal. each. I rinse and refill each of them about once or twice a week - probably, hmmm.... 30-40 gal. per week, not counting the water I dump out. Less in cool rainy weather of course, and more during dry heat waves.... but it averages to about 1.3-1.5 cups of water per bird, per day.

I hope this info helps.

It does I have no idea how to calculate food and water.. I guess I'll have to try bc it's always nice to see how much your using .. it seems like it goes by so fast. Thank you.