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What a good idea!Thanks. I've got 5 chicks that I've had for 3 weeks now. The chicks are 4 or 5 weeks old now and have just started losing the fluff on the tops of their heads (if that gives a better indication of age?)
I just changed their litter again today, I don't have a deep enough cage to just cover it up with more, so I did scoop it all out and started with fresh. I don't have the problem of them scratching their food all over the floor anymore, as I put some cardboard in place where they can still stand on the feeder but not scratch it out so easily. It's been working very well, the chicks can still eat and jump up on the feeder, but they have not scratched all their food out now.
You mentioned it not flowing .?Did you make the feeder? It looks like a bucket attached to a divided plastic plate? Does the feed flow well or do you find you have to shake it sometimes? I'm looking at solutions for a little coop we're making for a juvenile growing pen and saw some little buckets at the hardware store. Those plus your pictures are giving me ideas...
Oh, and I didn't answer your question! I change on an as-needed basis because the poops get bigger with the chicks and how dense the population is makes a huge difference. You don't want ammonia smell at all or feet to be crusty but I suspect that most of us change it more often than is necessary.
Did you make the feeder? It looks like a bucket attached to a divided plastic plate? Does the feed flow well or do you find you have to shake it sometimes? I'm looking at solutions for a little coop we're making for a juvenile growing pen and saw some little buckets at the hardware store. Those plus your pictures are giving me ideas...
Oh, and I didn't answer your question! I change on an as-needed basis because the poops get bigger with the chicks and how dense the population is makes a huge difference. You don't want ammonia smell at all or feet to be crusty but I suspect that most of us change it more often than is necessary.
Under the bucket is some kind of divided tray. I didn't make it so I can't even begin to source it out. I've not had any problems with it function wise, it does what it is designed to do pretty well. When I told my co-worker's F-I-L that the chicks were scratching all the food out, he told me that it's not intended as a chick feeder. What did I know, eh? Anyway putting the cardboard ring on top of the food fixed anything that I would have considered a design flaw. I'm considering making some out of a thicker plastic, say like one of those throw away cutting boards. Those things are ideal for all sorts of uses, not just in the kitchen.This looks to be above the plate. What is the underplate you use?.Seems to have a separator
Good idea but then i wonder when it flows will it come out where it runs off the plate or are the holes in the bottom ?
Maybe a BETTER idea then the sides.
Tell us about this one.
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I like the looks of that cardboard. I will try that with my 3 week OldsThanks. I've got 5 chicks that I've had for 3 weeks now. The chicks are 4 or 5 weeks old now and have just started losing the fluff on the tops of their heads (if that gives a better indication of age?)
I just changed their litter again today, I don't have a deep enough cage to just cover it up with more, so I did scoop it all out and started with fresh. I don't have the problem of them scratching their food all over the floor anymore, as I put some cardboard in place where they can still stand on the feeder but not scratch it out so easily. It's been working very well, the chicks can still eat and jump up on the feeder, but they have not scratched all their food out now.
We change them every other day and make sure to seal the bag id shavings up as tight as possible.Just a quick question. I've been changing the litter (wood shavings) in my brooder cage once a week. How often is the recommended period between cleanings?