Hi Everyone, I'm new to chicken world. My husband and I just purchased a home with 3 acers. First thing we wanted was chickens. Our coop is being built this weekend. I was wondering what kind of watering and feeding systems everyone uses. Also I heard its good to have an area where chicken can take a dust bath. What is your dust area made of? Sand, saw dust? does anything need to be mixed in with it to help get rid of mites? Thanks in advance.
You can put diatomaceous earth in the dust bath to help get rid of mites. Our chickens free-range and have made their own baths (dry dirt, really). One in my herb bed - need to do something about that. So I just sprinkle some DE in those sometimes. (Not sure what you do if you have to provide the bath, I'm sure somebody will know). We use a hanging feeder and a big metal waterer....one with a pull off-lid. I'd really like to get a hanging one though, with the "nipples" because they do get the water dirty very quickly! Good Luck!
^that pretty much covers it also as you are building the hutch this weekend i would add a pipe/tube which runs from outside with a cover to inside into there chicken feeder therefore its alot less hastle when feeding, you could also do this with the water but i would defanitelly recommend what 'cheerful' did the bucket with nipples on the bottom!
