How many 22lbs feeders and 5 gal waterers do I need for 20 chickens?

[LittleRedCoopLady]

Hello All!
Just wondering how many 22lbs feeders and 5 gal. waterers you all would suggest for 20 chickens? Thanks!

 

[Folly's place]

I'd have at least two of each, so there's always a place for everyone to eat and drink, regardless of their status. Separate them for the same reason. In hot weather, adding a third waterer is a good idea too, outside if they are free ranging.
Mary

 

[LittleRedCoopLady]

I'd have at least two of each, so there's always a place for everyone to eat and drink, regardless of their status. Separate them for the same reason. In hot weather, adding a third waterer is a good idea too, outside if they are free ranging.
Mary

Thanks so much!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I agree that multiples are a good idea.
I keep water in the run and food both inside the coop and in the run.

With multiples.....you don't need to have giant ones. Filling 22 pounds in 2-3 feeders each you risk spoilage of the feed before they get to eating it. You could go with the 7# feeders.
Water.....while 5 gallons each seems like a good idea you will find algae growing and needing cleaned often enough that smaller would work just as well/better than 5 gallons.

 

[LittleRedCoopLady]

I agree that multiples are a good idea.
I keep water in the run and food both inside the coop and in the run.

With multiples.....you don't need to have giant ones. Filling 22 pounds in 2-3 feeders each you risk spoilage of the feed before they get to eating it. You could go with the 7# feeders.
Water.....while 5 gallons each seems like a good idea you will find algae growing and needing cleaned often enough that smaller would work just as well/better than 5 gallons.

Thanks for the feedback! I see you are in Colorado. What do you use to keep your water from freezing?

 

[Folly's place]

I have had a five gallon metal waterer, and it's HEAVY when full, and the handle did fail, not being strong enough for the weight. You don't have to fill it to be useful though! Get another waterer, and think ahead towards winter; how are you going to keep the water unfrozen?
I use the three gallon metal waterers on electric heater bases in winter. You may do something else, but it's a good time to plan for this.
My feeders hold eleven pounds each, and get dumped out every week or three, so they the feed isn't old.
Mary

 

[LittleRedCoopLady]

I have had a five gallon metal waterer, and it's HEAVY when full, and the handle did fail, not being strong enough for the weight. You don't have to fill it to be useful though! Get another waterer, and think ahead towards winter; how are you going to keep the water unfrozen?
I use the three gallon metal waterers on electric heater bases in winter. You may do something else, but it's a good time to plan for this.
My feeders hold eleven pounds each, and get dumped out every week or three, so they the feed isn't old.
Mary

I have a small coop now and I'm using a heated dog bowl in winter. However, I only have 3-4 chickens in this coop, so I'm needing a larger option for my new coop which will house 20 chickens. I'm leaning toward the little giant metal waterer or the premier one electric poultry waterer.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thanks for the feedback! I see you are in Colorado. What do you use to keep your water from freezing?

Soooo for my chickens I use 1 gallon open water dishes. Yup they freeze solid. I take a gallon of hot water out, put water dish upside down in my garden, pour hot water slowly over it and the ice drops out.
I fill it with warm water and good to go for a few hours. That is what I do if frozen solid or nearly solid.
I can usually just add hot water over thin ice to melt it and warm the water a bit.
I keep 4 of these in the run so if one gets tipped there is still water.
Now ducks....they MUST have open water so no freezing allowed.
I have a 5 gallon open water dish (for horses I believe) and a submersible bucket deicer. I will be covering enough of that water dish to prevent them thinking it is a swimming hole lol. I will leave enough uncovered they can drink, clean their nares and not waste it all in 5 minutes.

Been using the same method for the chickens for a decade. I have only had to replace 3 water dishes and that was my own fault. Impact while frozen cracked them. 2 I dropped one I smashed into a post when I tripped on a big fat hen.

 

[Acre4Me]

We have more than 20 chickens. We use two 7lb feeders, brought inside the barn at night. We use a 5 gallon double wall waterer on blocks - shaded by a large piece of OSB. Easiest to bring water to it, rather than move the waterer, unless nearly empty and we move it to scrub it out. We add smaller bell waterers (plastic) during hot weather.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm not out there at 4am when the light comes on in the coop in winter, so the birds need unfrozen water then. The electric metal bases work very well for me.
Some plastic waterers with integrated heaters will be good, and some are a royal pain to use! I have one, not used, in the tack room as emergency back-up, because it's a miserable unit to fill.
Mary