LOTS of feed being wasted

[Arzella]

We have 20 6 week old chicks and just bought them a couple of those long metal feeders with all the holes for their heads. Just now put them in the coop cause it's raining out. But up till now
we have used a couple of 10" flower pot saucers with a good sized rock in the middle to keep them from standing in it. That has worked out so well it's hard to believe. We did the same thing for
their water until we ordered some of those poultry nipples off of Amazon. Those things are just great, but you have to be sure to use only a 11/32 drill bit to make the hole to screw them into the
bottom of a bucket or plastic jug or whatever you are going to use. We have a 1/2 gal. plastic jug hanging in the coop with 4 of the watering nipples in the bottom. Under the coop we have a 5 gal. plastic bucket with a 3/4" pvc T coming out of it's side about 2" up from the bottom and 12 inch pieces of 3/4" pvc pipe coming out each side of the T . We have 5 nipples on the bottom side of each 12" piece. We got the chicks when they were 5 weeks old and they have adapted very well to these city slickers who are learning to be very small time farmers. They are thriving really well and seem to be very happy, so I guess all is well.

 

[ShockValue]

What kind of chicks do you have

What breed are those birds?

Those are 8 week "Hatchery Stock" Salmon Faverolles. They're not supposed to have all that black in them if you were looking for show birds...

But I tell my girls they're beautiful everyday, and since they don't read any magazines on supermodel chickens, they don't seem to have any self-esteem problems.

 

[TulsaChick]

One thing that will help is elevating it out of the shavings. Put it on a box or something to keep it off the ground. Also my husband does not like them perching on the jar, so he put a point on the top with a funnel so they can't. I have one chick in particular that is a food jerk. She scoops the food right out with her beak to see what is below. For her and her sister who are too young still to go outside with the rest of their girls I made a special bowl by cutting out the center of the lid on a plastic bowl, just leaving enough room for their little heads to both get in there. This worked really well. Good luck!

Yes I agree with this one. I elevated on a brick. Something that wouldn't tip over. I wouldn't suggest feeding them fermented food.

 

[topdycke]

Followed directions to build a 25# No Waste Feeder. Problem solved.

this feeder is nearly perfect for dry feed Not a speck is pulled out but couple of mine like to perch on top

 

[AmazingChickens]

Those are 8 week "Hatchery Stock" Salmon Faverolles. They're not supposed to have all that black in them if you were looking for show birds... But I tell my girls they're beautiful everyday, and since they don't read any magazines on supermodel chickens, they don't seem to have any self-esteem problems.

How big do they get

 

[mrballance]

I just started fermenting my flock's food and was blown away. They love it and gobble up every bit. I even mix in a few fresh mealworms from my mealworm farm right before feeding. No waste and I know exactly how much they are eating and I'm not finding it all over my yard like the dry.

Ok, How do I start fermenting. Can anyone give me directions ?

 

[Arzella]

I forgot to mention that we put that 5 gallon bucket of water with the poultry nipples on top of a cinder (concrete) block so that it's high enough off the ground for the chicks to get their heads under.

 

[butch vb]

very easily I put three days of feed in a non metal food safe container add warm water to cover grain by a few inches not all people do but I think it works better when ever you walk by stir it a little you can start feeding 8 hrs later but true fermenting takes about 3 days depending on condictionsalways replace the feed you take out and add warm waterwhen it smells a little sour and has a white film on top you got it, mix up feed and enjoy the savings and better health of your flock I use nipple waters in coop and tractor very efficient and aways clean i think they are healther for the flock i put 4 nipples in bottom of 5 gallon buckets and only clean every 4 or5 days still trying to figure out how to keep from freesing in winter

 

[Tabatha]

Ok, How do I start fermenting. Can anyone give me directions ?

I read this: http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/p/fermented-feed.html?m=1

 

[Tabatha]

very easily I put three days of feed in a non metal food safe container add warm water to cover grain by a few inches not all people do but I think it works better when ever you walk by stir it a little you can start feeding 8 hrs later but true fermenting takes about 3 days depending on condictionsalways replace the feed you take out and add warm waterwhen it smells a little sour and has a white film on top you got it, mix up feed and enjoy the savings and better health of your flock I use nipple waters in coop and tractor very efficient and aways clean i think they are healther for the flock i put 4 nipples in bottom of 5 gallon buckets and only clean every 4 or5 days still trying  to figure out how to keep from freesing in winter

I have a smaller flock and use a glass pickle jar and keep it in my kitchen. I just replace the feed I take out. Don't use medicated chick starter.