Is this ok? Brooder question, et al

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I would get yourself an actual chicken feeder as they will waste a lot of food in a shallow container.

 

[ehoneybee]

I would get yourself an actual chicken feeder as they will waste a lot of food in a shallow container.

Yeah, we are definitely finding that. Also my kids keep filling up their food "bowls" so now their bedding is basically chick starter

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

Yeah, we are definitely finding that. Also my kids keep filling up their food "bowls" so now their bedding is basically chick starter

Lol yup. I have also had issues getting chicks off open containers too. Unless these were day old chicks they are better off with feeders. Good luck!
Oh and try raising the water and feeders up, put on a brick, plastic food storage container upside down.

 

[ehoneybee]

They also don't really seem to need the heat. It's about 70 in the house but they're never under it.

 

[mountainchickens]

They also don't really seem to need the heat. It's about 70 in the house but they're never under it.

Our chicks were at 70 or less from 8 days old, being raised outside by their mom - they never really seemed cold except when it was very cool and windy. I love the idea of getting a mama heating pad for them, a small one so they can go on it when they're chilly but there's none of the artificial lighting stuff and they can easily regulate their own temperature. There's a very long thread on it here. Also, about food and water, I don't really like nipple waterers because they give tiny drops of water at a time - vs traditional waterers, where your chickens can have as big sips as they want to. Just something to think about