- May 9, 2011
- 8
- 0
- 7
Background, the little girls are getting ready to start roaming in their chicken yard soon. I've been brooding them in the coop and they're just about fully feathered now. I plan on putting their feed (hopefully building the feeder tonight) in the yard, and setting up a nipple watering system there as well. (This is my first flock...)
So, do I continue to keep feed in the coop? I figured I might in the winter so they don't have to go out if they don't want to, but I'd really like them to spend the days outside...
And, do I need to keep water in the coop? Again, I'll put a small water container in the coop in the winter, and will wrap the outside with heat tape...
Also, what's the best way to teach the ladies to use the nipples? Tap their beaks on them? I may go with a cup system so that won't be as much of an issue... depends on what I can get from "local" suppliers.
Finally, how many chickens per nipple? I have a small (7) flock, so I don't figure I need too many...
Thanks all! This is a FUN experience.
-TriRev
So, do I continue to keep feed in the coop? I figured I might in the winter so they don't have to go out if they don't want to, but I'd really like them to spend the days outside...
And, do I need to keep water in the coop? Again, I'll put a small water container in the coop in the winter, and will wrap the outside with heat tape...
Also, what's the best way to teach the ladies to use the nipples? Tap their beaks on them? I may go with a cup system so that won't be as much of an issue... depends on what I can get from "local" suppliers.
Finally, how many chickens per nipple? I have a small (7) flock, so I don't figure I need too many...
Thanks all! This is a FUN experience.
-TriRev