a few questions, if you don't mind

[8Chicks4Ky]

I have eight 8-week chicks in a chicken tractor. I had been using the chick waterer, but got tired of cleaning it up and refilling it several times a day. Now I just have a bucket in the bottom (run) until I figure out something more permanent. I also have several wide-base dog food bowls for their food up in the coop part.

1. Should I have water in both the coop and run, or will it be OK to just have water in the run? I close them up in the coop at night and let them down in the morning.

2. About how long should a 50 lb bag of food last for these gals? I have no idea how much food they should be eating and how much is too much. I do give them occasional scraps, but it's not consistent since they're leftovers and some meals go over better with the family than others, lol.

I have plans to make a PVC feeder (just need to get to the store), but I'm not sure what to do about the water.

Thanks!

 

[KellyHM]

I would just buy a large plastic waterer for the run. It's fine not to have one in the coop, but I would get rid of the bucket...they've been known to fall in and drown. They should have feed available 24/7...no such thing as too much for them.

 

[8Chicks4Ky]

Thanks. I'll get a waterer for the run. I'm going to the store tomorrow for the PVC.

Do you know about how much food they'll go through? Or how long a 50 lb bag will last? Is it OK to just have the food in the coop or should I keep some available in the run? I do put the scraps in the run.

 

[hannakat]

Quote:
We keep the food in the run since it's covered and out of the weather. Our coop is small so everything is in the run. Ours free range so I can't say how long the food lasts. The nicer the weather, the less feed they consume.

 

[bryan99705]

I just took a 5 gallon bucket and drilled 4 - 6 holes around the rim about 2 inches down from the open end , fill it up and lay a 4" deep rubber water bowl on top of it and flip the whole thing over. Beats spending $20+ on a commercial waterer

 

[NanaLantana]

I personally like the bucket and nipple water system. You only have to add water once a week or so, and it's always clean. I like to bring my feed in at night, so critters don't eat it - mice, rats, roaches, etc. The chickens dont' eat at night once they're roosting, they don't eat or drink until they get up in the morning. I'm usually up when they are, and open the pop door and put the food out. I noticed that they ate a lot when they were between 6-14 weeks. Their comsumption of feed dropped after that. Hope this helps give you an idea of how to manage your chicks!

 

[ladyride]

We got the same bucket water with holes drilled upside down in planter we also placed it on 4" blocks to elevate no poop no spillage in coop or run. I keep food available 24/7 they are growing so fast. Try to keep elevated so they don't poo or spill. My chicks are 8 weeks as well.