Chicks going out in the tractor? Help with food and water?

[4urbanchicks]

We are going to be putting our chicks out in the tractor this weekend, and I am at a loss as to what kind of feed and water system to put into the tractor. We currently have the standard small waterbottle with water tray attached and circular plastic feeder with holes in the top, but both get filled with shavings from the chickens scratching around in the brooder.

Here is our tractor:

I am planning on putting shavings in the upper portion, which has a ramp that is raised and lowered to either let them into the enclosure below or lock them safely in at night. The nest boxes are located out the back and are covered and locked.

 

[hallerlake]

I keep the food and water in the run where there are no shavings. I take them in the house at night. I don't want to encourage vermin.

 

[write2caroline]

Nice Coop

My chicks were able to squeeze under a small gap - think about that if your tractor does not get flush with the ground.

Google those AVIAN POOP FREE waterers. They are wonderful. I got the nibs and used length of tubing from a central source and offered multiple beverage stations (just kidding - I only offered them water) Some people have attached the nibs to PVC piping too. Or different sized bottles etc. They learn to drink from them quickly. You might search for them here - that is where I learned about them. They make the floor waterers messy. They all do. So you can also offer them many different locations to drink water or put the waterers up higher.

Hope that helps

Caroline

 

[hallerlake]

I think my girls are enjoying the tractor. This morning when I let them out of the coop they didn't know whether to go for the feed or the clover first. They'd take a peck of one, and then a peck of the other. I'm glad I over seeded that area with clover this spring. I'm looking forward to Friday when I'll let them out for their first supervised free ranging, weather permitting.