Best chicken feeder and waterer????

[Gearhead846]

Ok thanks, I tried getting some of those nipple waterers but the chickens wouldn't drink out of it even if I showed them. but also, I live in cold colorado and it freezes every night and I do not have access to electricity and it is also very hard to empty out a 5 gallon bucket of that every single night

 

[HomesteadDeb]

Any waterer that looks likethis with a lid and cap I highly reccomend. The last one I had lasted me ten years. It takes getting used to,but I strongly prefer it over ones where you fill it up from the bottom. Absolutely hate it when they spill everywhere.

I have those in various sizes. You do have to make sure it sits level, and tighten the lid the right amount for the water to flow without running out, but as long as you keep them slightly elevated so the chickens can't walk in them and tip them they work great.

 

[HomesteadDeb]

I made this one for my flock of 8. It could really use two more feeder ports, but I didn't want to invest in that many until I was sure the design was sound. It look them a little while to figure it out, even though they were accustomed to a tube feeder with a somewhat similar opening. It's the most waste-free feeder I've had, and I have no problems with birds or mice.

 

[Sammster]

I made this one for my flock of 8. It could really use two more feeder ports, but I didn't want to invest in that many until I was sure the design was sound. It look them a little while to figure it out, even though they were accustomed to a tube feeder with a somewhat similar opening. It's the most waste-free feeder I've had, and I have no problems with birds or mice.

Good to know. I've ordered a feeder, similar in style. Hope I the girls transition to it, easily. I started them on a heated, nipple waterer, today. My bravest girl took to it, quickly. I think the rest will follow her lead

 

[Gearhead846]

I made this one for my flock of 8. It could really use two more feeder ports, but I didn't want to invest in that many until I was sure the design was sound. It look them a little while to figure it out, even though they were accustomed to a tube feeder with a somewhat similar opening. It's the most waste-free feeder I've had, and I have no problems with birds or mice.

Where could I purchase this?

 

[Gearhead846]

@HomesteadDeb where could I purchase this feeder?

 

[HomesteadDeb]

I used a 50lb Vittles Vault dog food container because I use them to store my feed and knew it was heavy duty enough and could hold a whole bag of layer pellets, and bought these silicone feeder ports on Amazon. You could easily use a less expensive base for your feeder, like a standard 5 gallon bucket, or a plastic tote or trash bin, but I live in AZ and plastics degrade fast in the sun here. Same probably goes for y'all who live where it gets super cold. The beauty of these silicone ones is that unlike standard pvc tube feeder openings the silicone molds to the shape of the container so there is no gap, and I assume (I can't honestly say since my feeder is under a roof out of the weather) weatherproof.
The only thing I would change is that the little twist on caps that go over the ends of the screws on the inside are really difficult to thread with your hand stuck in a bucket working blind I would maybe try putting silicone caulk on the screw ends to help secure them if I did it again. Also, if you want to avoid having to buy the drill bit to make the holes, if you don't have one, you can buy the ports as a while kit that comes with the drill bits you need and everything.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07QTQKF3R?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

@HomesteadDeb where could I purchase this feeder?

 

[Serenityintheverse]

I currently have an open dish for food, and a bowl for water but I would like to upgrade. and needed some new ideas for a feeder and a waterer for about 30 chickens I also have a HUGE sparrow problem (those darn things I can't seem to get rid of them )

What is your favorite feeder/waterer?
And ANY ideas and photos would be great!

Thanks

Those damn birds....they do eat their share for sure. They absolutely do not care that you are standing right there! Freeloader sparrows!

 

[Raptor Mountain Farm]

I use all RentACoop.com stuff. They also sell on Amazon. This way I support a small family farm. I use all the DIY stuff.
I have 30 chickens, but they are split between 3 coops that they all visit. I have 2 5 gallon food grade bucket feeders in the 2 bigger coops and 1 in the smaller one. I have 3 feed ports in each bucket except one that I have in a corner with only 2. I have to top off and refill once a week.
Waterers are the DIY drinking cups and nipples. I'm not happy with the heated pet bowls I got them for winter as they are getting nasty stuff in them daily and I have to keep a closer eye on them. My plan is to switch them all to food grade buckets with the cups and nipples with a heater inside. This can be used all year long. Buckets with just nipples work all year, but when hot, they want to dip their wattles in the water to cool off.
To make everything all you need is containers and a drill that can hold up to a 3/4" bit for the hole saw, I believe. My DeWalt drill won't fit the hole saw, but my Rigid does. Good luck.

 

[Gearhead846]

Will it keep out sparrows though?