http://www.walmart.com/ip/Petmate-Le-Bistro-With-Microban-Feeder-Small/14262070 something like this for food http://www.walmart.com/ip/Petmate-Le-Bistro-With-Microban-Waterer-Large/14262079 something like this for water Would either of these work if it is an appropriate(sp?) size?
Yes those will work...I have seen many people use them. Only issue I have seen is that the water and food get dirty easily cause they can stand in it with that large of an opening. I would suggest raising up on blocks, or even putting chicken wire on top so they don't go bathing in it Best Wishes, Laura
The problem I see with the feeder, mainly, is that not very many chickens can eat at the same time. Somebody's going to get left out and may not get enough to eat. We had too small of a feeder, and our banty started eating straw instead. She ended up with an impacted crop. Those cost the same as poultry feeders, seems like you should just get what is already designed for them. My two cents.
It WILL work, but it WILL get very dirty on a daily basis. They will walk in it, poop in it, and scratch litter into it. Nasty. Mark me as a nipple system advocate!
For the $35 plus that that water is going to cost you I will make you one like this (less water storage tank) and ship it to you. Actually for $35 I will ship you five of them. And this one will be much easier to work with.
The feeder might work for a small flock - 3-5 chickens. Like others said, be certain you raise it above floor level or it will get dirty pretty fast. You don't say where you're located, but the waterer is not going to work for you if you get cold Winter weather - temps low enough for water to freeze.
I've recently installed five gallon buckets with lids and 3 nipples on each. It allows for 3 or 4 gallons of water and not having to lug water everyday. You do need to keep them clean of course but they are much cheaper than even the conventional poultry waterers. The ones the OP shows are much more expensive and will be just as hard to maintain.
I have an exact waterer like that from Wal-mart. I used about 8 bricks and made a platform to put it on. It doesn't get dirty, but I have a dirt/sand floor. I replaced the top bottle with a 5 gallon one so it will last longer. I love mine. I have not used the food one though...
