Fermented feed trough

[lazy gardener]

I use a combination of gutter troughs, dog feed bowls, and rubber bowls. The gutter troughs I made have a spinning dowel on the top to help keep the birds from standing on top or in the feed.

As for washing the feed bowls/troughs: I do so quite infrequently, or only if they are really gross, or if they have been pooped in... (guessing poop fits under the really gross heading!) Then, all I do is hose them out. IMO, any little granules of feed left from yesterday are inoculated with the SCOBY, so will continue to help the feed that I put out today to continue it's ferment.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Don't they knock those bowls over and step in them and poop in them? My chicks are so so so messy. Mine are only 10 weeks old, do they get more "civilized" as they get older?

My girls are 28 months old and very civilized, mild mannered, wash their feet and bottom before going into nest to lay.
But seriously I bought the bowl two winters ago and so far I've never found it tipped over. It's heavy and shaped so that it uprights itself. I always see a hen put her foot on the edge when I put it down with wet feed, but it doesn't tip and it's small. If they step in it they can't eat.
So several small bowls would be better, if you don't want them to step or poop in. GC

 

[Kayla's Lunch]

Thanks for all the info. I don't know my little bunch of 12 is so messy. They always have food and we let them out to free range 1-3 times a day for up to 3 hours. I will try those small black rubber feed bowls.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I use a few ceramic cat/small dog bowls since the birds are less likely to step in something that small, plus they're heavy enough that they don't easy tip over. Even if they tip over they're too small to trap a bird underneath. Also easy to wash off. I spread the bowls around in the morning so everyone gets a chance to eat, even the chicks.

 

[blackdog043]

For my fermented, I use two of these mineral feeders from Tractor Supply. I made key holes so I can slip them on and off the screws that I hang them on. In the second picture on the left hand side, you can sorta see it hanging there. I don't have a problem with them pooping or kicking bedding in there, since they hang.

 

[Folly's place]

I had the same thing, but now use an older galvanized feeder to hold the oyster shell instead. It work too, and is much larger.
Mary

 

[Kayla's Lunch]

For my fermented, I use two of these mineral feeders from Tractor Supply. I made key holes so I can slip them on and off the screws that I hang them on. In the second picture on the left hand side, you can sorta see it hanging there. I don't have a problem with them pooping or kicking bedding in there, since they hang.View attachment 1494021

Thank you! I bought a metal pegboard kind of thing and 2 plastic bin/cup kind of things hoping to hang the fermented feed there. The chickens were able to knock the bins off. These mineral cups may just do the trick!

 

[blackdog043]

Yep they work great! If you don't have a key hole router bit, you can drill a hole for the screw head to fit through, then drill smaller holes to make the slot to slide it down over the screw threads, small enough so the head won't come through. Make the screw tight enough so your just able to put the feeder on and take it off.

 

[PetesChicks]

I use 2 of the long plastic chick feeders, without the covers. I put 4 scoops in each, and put them a few feet apart so they can all get tot hem at the same time.

 

[blackdog043]

I just took a better picture with it hung up.