How big should feeder/ waterers be?

[Roosterboy]

I have noticed that feeders and waterers(How to spell?) get very expensive. I plan on making my feeder but how big should my poultry fountain be? I don't want to replace water more than once a day and i want it for only 4 or so birds

 

[whatsup chickenbutt]

a plastic 5 gallon waterer is only 11.99 at my feed store. That would be more than enough for 4 birds. The three gallon container is not worth the effort. Personally, I think Im going to break down and go for all the bells and whistles, heated, and huge for winter. Water is a pain. Expensive, but I think its going to be worth it. Its a long walk to the barn in a blizzard...

 

[Pumpkinpup]

If you have no problem with refilling every day without fail then a one gallon will be sufficient for 4 birds. I have 10 birds in one of my runs and they go through one gallon per day. There is always a little left in the waterer the next morning and they are standard sized birds.

 

[patandchickens]

Yup, 1 gallon is plenty for 4 birds as long as you will refill it daily without fail.

Pat

 

[Roosterboy]

ok. thought that a one gallon would mean i would have to replace it a couple times a day. Could i make one out of an old gutter? ...

 

[patandchickens]

You can't make a waterer of that sort in the same way you make a feeder. It has to operate on the vacuum principle. The only way to make a vacuum waterer is to cut a small hole *just* below the lip of a bucket, fill the bucket with water, top it with a pan about 1 1/2 - 2" deep and about 2-3" wider than your bucket, then hold the pan on while you swiftly invert the bucket. The disadvantage of this over a commercial vacuum waterer is that if it gets bumped when it is anything other than totally full, it is likely to fall apart and glork your water out all over the floor leaving you with a muddy coop and thirsty chickens.

(Other waterer types exist, basically variations of tiny auto-waterers, but I don't think you can make any of *them* using plastic guttering, either, sorry)

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Roosterboy]

That is ok. Can i make them with standard supplies found around a house

 

[patandchickens]

The only waterer that I know of that you can make with household items, and that will water more than like one or two chickens, is the tipped over bucket design I described above. It is okay used outdoors (especially if it is a second waterer, not their only source) but it is not really appropriate for use in the coop because if anyone knocks into it it'll just fall apart, water everywhere, nothing for chickens to drink.

A one-gallon plastic waterer is, what, about $6 Canadian, probably more like $3-4 US. Just buy one at the feed store, honest

Pat

 

[whatsup chickenbutt]

Really, buy the waterer. There is nothing more frustrating then dealing with water all over your chicken coop. they are sloppy. The waterer will tip over, your bedding will be all wet, then you've made the job 10 times bigger. I spend more time dealing with water issues than I do anything else. And you know what, I suspect I will spend a lot more time this winter because everytime I go to the feed store I put back the $46 heated waterer because its just too expensive. I have water rigged up everywhere too, and its just not worth it. Spend the money. Believe me!

 

[cmom]

I bought mine too and have it hanging on a chain with a S-hook in the coop.