Ideas gleaned from this forum (Feeders and Waterers)

[ShockValue]

So I've set up my 2 feeders and 2 waterers made from the square 4 gallon buckets. Luckily mom runs a deli / bakery, so these are pretty easy to come by:



On the base are the "no waste" buckets illustrated here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...te-5-gallon-25-feed-bucket-feeder-for-about-3

On top are horizontal-nipple waterers. Which (I think) I got the idea from here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/853014/nipple-watering

Been in there about 48 hours so far, and the girls (and boy) seem very pleased with them. They conveniently sit in between the studs of the coop, and since they're stacked they take up very little floor space.

20ish pounds of food and 6ish gallons of water will take a very long time for the young chickens to go through (they also free-range about 12 hours a day). I figure I'll change the water once a week just to keep it fresh and make sure nothing is growing in the buckets.


Happy to answer any questions or entertain criticism on the setup.


Thanks to the community for these great forums. I was going to get chickens, but this forum has made things much more enjoyable.

 

[Michael OShay]

Very nice feeders and waterers. Since the chickens seemed pleased with them, I don't see any problems with them.

 

[subhanalah]

Isn't the waterer a little high?

(It looks really nice though)

 

[ShockValue]

I was concerned with the height as well and was planning on putting the buckets on a lower shelf. However, I watched them off and on for a few hours today and they were able to reach up and drink OK.

Not sure if it's optimal drinking height though, as they do have to stretch up to get them. I'm wondering if perhaps I should put them on a shelf for now, and as the birds get larger I can put them back up there.


<unsure>

 

[subhanalah]

I would. The way those work is by expelling water into a little cup below the nipple, they have to not only reach upwards, but also crane their necks down into the cup to reach it. It may not kill them or anything but it can't be good for their skeletal system?

 

[ShockValue]

Leave it to the chickens to ruin the feng shui. I agree though, I'll see what I can come up with tomorrow morning and re-evaluate the height as they get older/bigger.

 

[subhanalah]

When I saw it I thought to myself "it'll probably hopefully work when they are full grown lol.

You have very tall chickens though, lol.

 

[subhanalah]

Hm...do you think you'll have to move the feeders higher when they are full grown?
You can always hang one waterer outside and keep one hang inside.