Feed Waste & Keeping water clean with chicks - Solutions?

[debid]

Blocks under the feeder helps until they are big enough to knock it over or perch on top. I use one like yours but with a glass jar so it is much heavier. I still think it could be improved and I intend to build a wall-hugging hopper with a long, narrow hole so the stinkers cannot poop in it or scratch it out and they sure as heck won't tip it over. Next time.

For water, I use the poultry nipples; no spilling, no fouling, no wet chicks, no drowning. After trying those, I'll never go back to an open dish of any sort.

 

[the43k]

Abandon waterers, switch to chicken nipples

 

[coffeychicks]

I have my chicks on nipples. Attached to a soda bottle. Works like a charm once I got the logistics figured out. Water always clean.

 

[EmeraldSkye]

This is what I did at first. You can see that for the food I put several saucers under the feeder. The water was provided using a poultry nipple on a plastic bottle that had a "waist" so I could attach a band and hang it from what is a clothing rod rack that I got from Target. The chicks were brooded in a spare bathtub with a clear shower curtain. That picture is black and white because it was taken with a security video camera temporarily set up in there and it was on night vision as it was dark at that time.

Later, when they knocked their food over a couple of times, we switched to a regular chicken feeder:


It was also suspended from the rod, as well as the "Chick Stick" that they are pecking at in the picture. That same feeder is what they are usina outside now in their run, and we now have given them the "Chicken Fountain" for their water: Chicken Fountain

 

[pawtraitart]

I have 13 chicks and use a feeder and waterer like this. It seems like they are wasting so much feed. I filled it last night before bed and I bet 1/2 was all over the paper towels this morning. I don't know how or why with the holes like this - it's not like it's spilling. Are chicks just that messy? I hate that so much goes to waste. A bunch ends up in the water too. Would it help to elevate the feeders some? I have seen that a lot but they are only 1-2 weeks and I'm not sure what to put it on so they can still reach it. TIA!

Make your own feeders and drinkers. The ones you get in the stores all have issues. I raise hundreds of chicks and have totes filled with drinkers and feeders that I don't even bother with anymore. I now have hardly any wasted feed or messy water issues. With as many birds as I raise, the cost of wasted food was killing me. Do a search for homemade waterers/feeders and I'm sure you'll find one that you can put together yourself.

 

[the43k]

The chicken nipples are the best way to save water. As far as food, we just throw out a scoop of food right on the ground. Its completely eaten every day.

 

[Hugus_homestead]

I need help also! My chicks, about a week old are just scooping the food out and then scratching it all over the ground. All day long they've been doing this. Their brooder is plenty big and they have other things to preoccupy their time.