I have 3 chickens and we are getting ready to transition them to the coop. What size feeder/ waterer is right for 3 chickens?
Welcome! Anything will do, but some are easier to manage than others. The traditional galvanized metal waterers come in a 2 gal. size that's easy to carry and rinse out. Plastic waterers get lots of algae growth inside that's more of a pain to manage. A dog water dish can work for mature birds, but chicks can drown or chill in the dish. I've never used the nipple water systems. A bigger feeder will need to be filled less often, and hanging it with a lid keeps it cleaner. Mary
I am a newbie can give you my experience. The day I picked up my pullets I stopped by rural king and got one of there cheaper plastic feeders and waterers. After about a week I ended up building one of the five gallon bucket feeders with the 90 degree PVC elbows. The amount of food I was going through was almost cut in half as there is little to no waste. I also got a 5 gallon water jug and added 2 of the horizontal nipple waterers. I am glad I did both, cost was minimal and it saves me from having to refill every day.
I'm in the same spot finishing my coop/run as soon as the rainy weather allows with my 4 girls in the garage. I made my horizontal waterer the first day cause poop in the water was an immediate no go for me. I had researched what seemed to work for people and had ordered the nipples on eBay before I got the girls. This morning I am gonna make the pvc pipe bucket feeder just as soon as I finish my coffee and find a bucket size that will work in the large dog crate we have them in now, and the bigger coop as soon as we move them. hope this input helps you
