Chickens and containers

[Mygrits]

Why are my chickens putting straw in their water and food containers? How do I keep them from doing that. The containers are non-hanging.

 

[SilverBirds]

They're probably kicking bedding into their feeders while they are trying to forage. What type of feeders/waterers are you using?

 

[K0k0shka]

Put them up high, on a cinder block or something along those lines, so the feed/water is at the level of the chickens' backs. They don't need to bend down to eat or drink, it can be higher up, and if it's higher, there's less of a chance they'll kick crap into it.

 

[3KillerBs]

Put them up high, on a cinder block or something along those lines, so the feed/water is at the level of the chickens' backs. They don't need to bend down to eat or drink, it can be higher up, and if it's higher, there's less of a chance they'll kick crap into it.

I haven't found anything else that works.

 

[K0k0shka]

I haven't found anything else that works.

I put my waterer up so high that they need a stepping stool to reach it The water stays clean though!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Agreed that elevating is the way to go, an overturned plant pot (first photo) or bucket (second photo) works great. Plus switching to a closed waterer helps immensely with keeping water clean.

 

[3KillerBs]

I put my waterer up so high that they need a stepping stool to reach it The water stays clean though!

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I set things at a good height for my tallest birds and put down bricks or blocks so the short ones can get up to them.