Choice of plastic or metal feeders/waterers?

[Rnk368]

Does anyone have a particular preference when it comes to the material of their feeders and / or waterers? My coop and run are almost ready and I've got plastic ones now, but was wondering about the opinions of experienced chicken keepers...

 

[Kiki]

I prefer plastic because I ferment their feed.
I prefer plastic for the water too so i don't have to deal with rust.

 

[Rnk368]

I prefer plastic because I ferment their feed.
I prefer plastic for the water too so i don't have to deal with rust.

Thank you. I was thinking the same thing.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I prefer metal for water and feed. I keep both in my coop. It goes well below freezing here. I have a heated base for my waterer, to keep it from freezing. I use a rubber bowl in winter under the raised coop. Easy to remove ice and refill. it's under the pail.
If you want to add Apple cider vinegar to your chickens waterer you can't use a galvanized waterer. GC

 

[Patinas]

I prefer plastic waterers because I put ACV in their water on a regular basis. For feed I prefer metal because it's pretty indestructible and the main feeder I use has a cover over the feeding bin to help keep it clean and near impossible for the chickens to scratch out the feed because the chickens have to step on a platform to open the feeder bin.

 

[lazy gardener]

I use plastic for both: I ferment their feed, and use a plastic heated water bowl in the winter. During the summer, I've been using bell waterers or plastic buckets. But have the supplies on hand to put together a horizontal nipple waterer.

 

[blackdog043]

If you want to make your life easier, have clean water and no wasted feed, look below.

Plastic 5 gallon waterer with horizontal nipples


Plastic 5 gallon no waste feeder


Plastic feeder for fermented feed(from tractor supply)
I drilled the key hole slots for easy hanging and removing