feeders and waterersplacement advice and types

[masonrenosolomon]

Hi guys. I’m going to be on here a lot from here on out. Ha. So looking for expert advice. I’ve raised and handfed many parrots but have never had chickens. So I basically know birds but not ground dwellers or ones that are not fed by their parents. Well. my hubby n I are building a walk in coop. Now I’m thinking about using those pvc pipes for feeders. The ones you attach to wall with the elbow at bottom (are they less messy n wasteful?) And the bucket with chicken water nipples, for their water. Or maybe a different set up? Now do I need to put food n water inside coop? I’m going to have water outside for them n a couple pvc pipe feeders. If there’s feed in the coop they’ll need a drink to wash it down. Right ? Any suggestions would be great! I’ll be posting other threads. As I need advice on breeding different egg colors. Then I need some help identifying a chick or two. . Then another question about using a faverolle rooster with faverolle, Easter Eggers and Marans hens. N what color eggs chick may carry for? Oh my! My heads spinning !!! . I tend to ramble at times. But also have to think everything out to make it perfect. I’m Ocd too. So. That may explain a little. Lol

 

[wamtazlady]

I have never used the PVC feeder so I have no idea if they are less messy than other feeders. I have read that those feeders using a tote or bucket with PVC elbows are very efficient and little food gets wasted on the ground. I would suggest for your waterer that you use the horizontal rather than the vertical nipples. Horizontal nipples are less likely to freeze or leak during the winter. You can make a good waterer using a bucket, tote, or most anything that will hold water, horizontal nipples, and a stock tank deicer. My water has stayed thawed even when it was -22 F. I use an 11 gallon tote for my container. horizontal nipples, and a stock tank deicer. It only needs refilled once a week.

Some people keep feeders and waterers in the coop. Some only have them in the run. Some keep them in both areas. Chickens don't wake up for midnight snacks so it is up to you where you put feeder and waterer. Mine are both kept in the run. Whether you can put yours in the run depends. It depends on how you build your run. My run is covered so no rain or snow gets in there. Three sides have clear vinyl shower curtains attached during the winter. The chickens spend all day outside rather than staying in the coop when the weather is nasty.

 

[masonrenosolomon]

Thanks for you r reply! I’ll def look into using horizontal nipples. Advice appreciated! Oh. So many questions. Whe want our coop to be perfect! It’s our first one. I’m designing it while hubby measures n cuts. We both help put it together. Team work. You people will be hearing from me a lot more now that it’s coming down to crunch time. Lol I will have some last minute questions for sure! Have about 3 weekends to finish it before chicks can move in. Gonna be busting hump to get it completed.

 

[wamtazlady]

Just remember to have enough ventilation. To keep a chicken warm you do not want to hold heat in the coop. Chickens wear a wonderful down coat that keeps them nice and warm. Chickens add a lot of moisture to the coop by breathing and pooping. It is that moisture that can make a chicken cold and cause frostbite. You might be tempted to insulate the coop. If you do that you might even think of closing up the coop when it gets cold to hold the heat in. Not a good idea. Moisture is one reason many do not keep water in the coop.

What you need is a lot of ventilation covered with hardware cloth under the eaves of the coop where snow and rain will not get in. Then you need a small area that is low and protected from the wind. By doing this you will have a way for the warm but moist air to leave via the upper vents while drawing in cold but dry air into the coop. You have to do all this while not allowing a draft to blow on the birds.

For my 8' by 6' coop I have about 10 square feet of ventilation that is never closed. In the past I have kept a dozen chickens but I cut back to 6 plus a rooster this year. I have read where it is best to have about a square foot of ventilation for every bird.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They don't NEED feed and water inside, however you may choose to put one or both inside. I keep my water outside, so no risk of drips or spills (most coops should be kept bone dry inside) and my dry feed inside, so no spillage to attract rodents plus my run isn't covered so this is the only way to keep the feed 100% dry.

Have fun with building the coop. If you have anything you're uncertain on, research on here or post a question before committing - don't want to put in a bunch of work and then find out it's not going to work as you intended.

 

[masonrenosolomon]

We have the ventilation in the eaves. Didn’t think to put some lower tho. So thanks. N yes. Gonna use 19 gauge 1/2 inch mesh over vents n on both sides of the window. Then 27 gauge 1/4 inch mesh to bury around run n coop. I’m also gonna wrap the outside of coop with the 1/4 mesh n add a cat fence around roof to keep predators from climbing on top of it. N slanted roofed run. I’m ocd so will probably over do it. . . N I’ll definitely considee feed in coop n water in run! Thanks. . N will consider adding an electric fence. N we will be adding run space as we go. forgive my writing. I Cant see what I’m typing for some reason. So. Typing blind.

 

[wamtazlady]

You should post pictures of your coop as you build it. The eagle eyes on the forum can often spot a problem you hadn't thought about. It is easier to fix a mistake while you build than after the coop is completed.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Well. my hubby n I are building a walk in coop. Now I’m thinking about using those pvc pipes for feeders. The ones you attach to wall with the elbow at bottom (are they less messy n wasteful?) And the bucket with chicken water nipples, for their water. Or maybe a different set up? Now do I need to put food n water inside coop? I’m going to have water outside for them n a couple pvc pipe feeders. If there’s feed in the coop they’ll need a drink to wash it down. Right ? Any suggestions would be great!

I have not used nipples or the PVC feeder but many people have. A typical way chickens waste feed is that they swipe their heads sideways while eating and shovel food out. A way I've seen people reduce that is to put something so they can only peck, not swipe. You sure do not want them to be able to stand in it and scratch. Hopefully someone that has done this can tell you what they did and how it worked. I would not use a fine wire, I'd be concerned they would cut their combs or wattles. You want to avoid something like those wire cheese cutters.

Another much simpler trick and it may be enough to reduce waste (I'd try it first) is to put a shallow tray underneath to catch the scooped out food. You may find even this much isn't necessary but they can eat out of a shallow tray as easily as the regular feeder.

Another way they can waste feed is to scratch trash into it. If you raise the top of your feeder to about the height of their backs you can greatly reduce how much trash gets scratched into it.

As mentioned above, some of us feed and water inside the coop only, some outside only, and some do both. Some feed in one place and water in another. We all have our reasons and there can be many. A common reason given to feed outside only is to try to avoid attracting mice to the coop. A common reason given for feeding inside only is to avoid feeding wild birds, they can eat a lot. Or if you leave your chickens locked inside the coop pretty late in the morning they will wake up hungry and thirsty. Water inside may get the coop wet if it leaks but it may stay cooler in summer and be easier to keep thawed in winter if you use electricity. In winter I use those black rubber bowls for water and set them where the sun can hit them, solar heat helps keep it thawed when the sun is shining. If they freeze like they do overnight I beat the ice out of them and refill. In summer I use white bowls outside to keep water cooler. If you use nipples you might want that container to be in the shade.

I feed and water in both places. I almost always have juveniles in my flock. By spreading food and water around it gives everybody a chance to eat and drink. The older chickens can be real bullies in keeping younger birds away from food and water. As far as I'm concerned there is no right way or wrong way to do this, do what suits how you manage your birds.

One of my basic rules when designing chicken facilities, keep your comfort and convenience in mind. Your chicken will benefit if you are comfortable taking care of them.