Attractive feeder/waterer for "front yard" urban bantam tractor?

[lceh]

My DH and I are putting the finishing touches on a cute little A-frame chicken tractor, which will be in our urban front yard with 6 banty hens in it. The tractor is decked out with scalloped shingles and historic hardware, so it looks pretty nice. I can't bring myself to use those white and red plastic feeders after getting this thing all gussied up. Can anyone recommend a more attractive feeder option? Something retro would be cool. I've considered galvanized feeders, but haven't found one small enough for my little flock. I'd also like to hang it if possible to reduce waste and keep it in place while moving the tractor around. I have Mason jar feeders for my brooder, but I wondered if the glass might break in the winter -- and I wasn't sure how to hang them, or if they would be big enough anyway.
Ideas, anyone?

 

[DarkWolf]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Blue-Ball-Mason-Quart-Jar-W-Chicken-Feeder-NEAT_W0QQitemZ370196883024QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFolk_Art?hash=item5631742650&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Chicken-Feeder-Bases-jars-not-included-country-snack_W0QQitemZ400048243814QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFolk_Art?hash=item5d24bbc466&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Tin-Baby-Chick-Feeder-Waterer-Original-Bottle_W0QQitemZ330297517140QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFolk_Art?hash=item4ce7442454&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Chicken-Waterer-Atlas-Fruit-Jar_W0QQitemZ130217813967QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFolk_Art?hash=item1e519627cf




I just searched eBay for "antique waterer" and "antique feeder" and dug them up. They're ye' olden style.

 

[lceh]

That's the kind I have now in my brooder; I just wasn't sure if the glass would hold up outside in the winter.

 

[Luvin Life]

I used glass this past winter and the glass will break if left in freezing temps.

 

[chuckzoo]

I am using a hummingbird feeder with the top removed as a waterer for my two BR girls. I found one that the reservior screws into the bottom of the feeder so I was just able to take the top off. It is very decorative and since it hangs you will be able to move around without too much spillage.
You could use the same concept for the feeder by drilling larger holes in the hummingbird feeder as suggested by Darkwolf.

 

[lceh]

Is your hummingbird feeder plastic? Has it lasted through a winter? Sounds like a fun idea.

 

[chuckzoo]

The one I'm using right now is glass, but I read somewhere on a post that glass will break if it freezes. I think even plastic will burst if it freezes so it would probably need to be insulated or have a heating device to it.
It looks really cool though and takes up less space than a traditional waterer.

 

[vermontgal]

The metal bases for the feeders are available commercially - I bought mine at my local feed store. Putting a cool / colored glass jar on top is a good idea.

For the waterer, yes, glass will break - I also broke one or two this past winter.

For your aesthetics, you could put food / waterer inside a constructed box of some sort, and make the box as fancy as you like. I'd make the box high enough to put the food / water at about the level of the chickens' backs, to keep them from kicking too much liter into the feed/ water.

 

[codybird]

Just FYI

Plastic mayonaise jars, quart size, fit the bases also.

They may split but you won't have broken glass.

You can paint them too.

 

[SweetMissDaisy]

You could buy nice galvanized feeders/waterers and then paint the outside of the "tube" portion with something like black or charcoal colored rustoleum spray paint. That would make them look like they were cast iron...

I don't think I would paint the tray part, where the water/feed sits...it might not hurt, but I'd rather not chance it.