How to feed 50 birds?

[19disbre]

What kind of feeders do you guy use for feeders for larger quantities of birds? I want to use a piece of PVC but will the smaller ones get bullied out? I don't want to buy feeders, thanks

 

[enola]

For 50 chickens you will need several feeders. The main problem with too few feeders is that the weaker/smaller ones will get pushed out.

Chickens do not understand the concept of sharing.

 

[Ifish]

Multiple feeders. Bite the bullet and purchase 5 trough type feeders.

Feeders are cheap when it comes to overall cost.

 

[19disbre]

How much are those where do you get them? Why would you not use PVC or Gutter?

 

[19disbre]

Also I kid of meant literally how do you dish it out 1 scoop at a time, straight out of the bag? I want to hand feed these, because I can only be there once a day or less if that is possible

 

[Morrigan]

Plastic roof gutters work well and are cheap. You can cut one length into multiple pieces and they are easy to wash.

As for scooping it in; being fast helps. I do fermented feed, and use a big plastic scoop to pour it in. A few usually wind up with a little feed on their heads because they just can't wait to dig in.

 

[19disbre]

Okay good thats exactly what I was thinking, I want to do fermented feed but with 50 birds or more maybe even 150 later on I don't know how to do that I was thinking of pouring a 50 lb bag into a barrel but then getting it out would be hard. How many birds do you do? How do you ferment enough feed? I was thinking of nothing super technical for them just soaking it and it will be wet the first day slightly fermented day 2 more day 3 and should be used up b4 it goes bad?

 

[Morrigan]

I have 25 CX and 20 laying hens. I use two five gallon buckets -- in your case you might need more. When one bucket gets to be 1/4 full, I re-fill it and stir (the older fermented feed quick ferments the new) and go to the second bucket. Rinse and repeat. When the CX are older and going thru more feed, I have to re-fill a bucket each night. I just ferment flock raiser crumbles with water.

 

[19disbre]

sounds good, I just made a nipple waterer and how many nipples do you think I need, right now I have 5 nipples for 50 birds I think I need more but these are only between1-2 weeks old I just kind of need a quick answer I would like to use all nipples because they are eaier to maintain but this is they're first night with them and I don't want to dehydrate them?

 

[Morrigan]

I don't use nipple waterers, so I'm afraid I can't help you on that one. Good luck with your birds!