Beginner needs advice on Waterers and Feeders!

[Tala]

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I posted my opinions on it. Basically I use several feeders for different ages.
The long troughs with holes on top (I prefer the metal ones) are great for "teenagers" but the adults flip them and they are too big for my baby brooder so...... I use all sizes!

The problem with the troughs is that eventually you start having to fill them more than once a day then it's time to move up to a "big chicken feeder" --- one that holds pounds of food instead of cups!

I really see no reason that you couldn't skip the troughs completely, as a teenage chicken can eat out of the adult type bucket feeder just fine --- mainly the troughs just take up less room inside my chicken tractor. Lots of factors to consider I guess.

 

[chookchick]

Yeah, I bought one of everything, it's like shopping for a baby! You've just got to have all the little accouterments for your chicks! When they first start, I take the top off the (plastic) mason jar feeder and still a rock in the hole (so they don't get stuck in there, and they like to perch on it). Then I got fed up with the jar part, and cut the top off so I could refill quickly, but you have to keep if covered so they don't fly in there and get stuck. Just try everything and use what works for you.....it's always nice to have a couple of extra little feeders around.

 

[CARS]

Quote:
You must be talking about baby troughs

Mine are 3' long and a few inches deep and hold enough feed for 25 birds, 24hrs. (I have 2 in the pen) They are the reel top ones so they can't perch on the feeder.

 

[keeko]

Great advice guys, thanks!

Yeah, chookchick, I am tempted to buy one of everything too! Just to have around. It's exciting to be expecting baby chicks, so you do want to be prepared!

CARS - I was curious: where do you get your adult troughs? I've not seen them so large, and I don't think I'm familiar with the "reel" tops, but if it keeps them from perching, that's great!

Luckily, I'm finding everything pretty cheaply at MPC...at least when I compare to some other websites. Maybe I will just buy an assortment - my to my hubby's dismay

 

[Madcap621]

I will have to add feed today. Any chance of a picture? I am a visual learner

I can add the roll before re-filling. Thanx

FYI, I like the metal trough w/slide-off top w/holes. My arthritic fingers can't open the plastic ones. I fasten it to the side of my wire coop w/'coat-hanger' hooks at head level. No perching/pooping in feed and off the floor/out of the way.

 

[CARS]

Like this one: http://www.ablackhorse.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=101172

 

[LynneP]

1) Can anyone tell me the benefits to those trough-like feeders...the long ones with the holes?
I hated mine and switched to the ones with the removeable spinner top, birds seemed to keep the new ones much cleaner. You'll need one for every 12 birds or so.

2) Which are better, plastic or galvanized steel? Pros and cons of each?
I like plastic because our water contains iron and the galvanized ones leach zinc into the water. I found that the i gallon plastic waterers were good, but put them up on bricks or something to keep bedding out. If you have a tipsy chick or two, put marbles in the lip.

3) I like the look of those jar feeders, but will a heavy glass mason jar be dangerous in a small brooder of baby chicks? Do they ever tip over?? EEK!

I used the metal bottoms only. Now I re-use them for ground oyster shell in the adult coop.

4) Finally, I'd like to reuse whatever I can as the chicks grow up...is there a specific kind of feeder or waterer that go with them to the hen house/coop?

For a while and then you simply need more capacity. Always be sure are raised, they can't be tipped or that they are not in the glide path of birds coming down from a roost or platform.


Pics in this file

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7693-A_Brooder

 

[CARS]

Quote:
1: I never cared for the ones with holes. I put up with the mason jar style during brooding, but I modify mine so the feed level is lower.

2: I have to use steel water founts because I use heated bases in winter. In summer, I use plastic one because they are easy to bleach clean.

3: I have never found a chick pinned under a feeder. Not saying it can't happen, but those bases are pretty wide. It should never happen.

4: I have brooder equipment and big kid equipment. Unless you are raising thousands of birds, the equipment isn't that expensive. I would recommend just getting separate chick stuff and separate big bird stuff.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
You must be talking about baby troughs

Mine are 3' long and a few inches deep and hold enough feed for 25 birds, 24hrs. (I have 2 in the pen) They are the reel top ones so they can't perch on the feeder.

Well, they are about 2ft long, plain not reel topped.

I think they would hold adult birds all day just fine, but the growing ones eat me out of house and home there for a few weeks during the growth spurt!!!

 

[dsnewark]

1) The reason to use a trough is that they can feed from both sides so you double your feeder space compared to the same amount of area taken up by a tube type feeder.
The tops on the trough are to keep the chicks from pooping in the feeder. The plastic ones with the holes and the galvanized ones with the spinner do the same thing. The platic ones are easier to clean and they do not rust, however you have to open the top to put food in evey time. They galvanized spinner type are easier to deal with imo.

2) For waters plastic is better. Easier to clean, no rust or welds to crack and create leaks. For larger tube type feeders I have not found a plastic version that holds up very well so I go with the metal ones.

3) Never used them but they are cute.

4) Not really. It typically becomes an issue of real estate. Most brooders are small affairs that folks like to keep close to the house so they can enjoy them before they smell too bad. They also consume small amounts for the first few weeks, therefore smaller feeders and waters are the typical choice.

Once they get bigger they eat and drink more per head so it becomes an issue of convience not having to fill them up as often.

So if your brooder is big enough you could start with the larger feeders and waters and if you do not mind and have the time you can stay with the smaller stuff indefinitely.