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beaglady said:
Re - knocking food out of the feeder, try these

1) If you use crumbles, switch to pellets.

2) Mount the feeder higher. Feeders should be no lower than the chicken's backs, and a little higher doesn't hurt as long as they can reach it.

I've had better luck with buckets for water, rather than the fountain type waterers. Mine fling bedding into the fountain types.

My permanent pens are set up now, and I want to get my automatic bell waterers set up, but I'm also worried how they will perform in freezing weather. If I get a brainstorm, I'll let you know. Otherwise, it's buckets in winter for me and mine.
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Hadn't thought about buckets for water....but, I'm thinking maybe a bunch of painters buckets..about a $1 each at HD.....buy about 1/2doz and hang from ropes....then just fill one and replace the frozen one...bring the frozen one inside to thaw then reverse the processes in evening....not sure how long it takes water to freeze
 
Diz78 said:
I am one proud momma!!!! The first is of the 2 I found this morning and the second is in comparison to a large egg!!! I am so excited!!
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Congrats! Enjoy your new "deliveries"!
 
stake said:
Hadn't thought about buckets for water....but, I'm thinking maybe a bunch of painters buckets..about a $1 each at HD.....buy about 1/2doz and hang from ropes....then just fill one and replace the frozen one...bring the frozen one inside to thaw then reverse the processes in evening....not sure how long it takes water to freeze
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The problem with hard plastic buckets is that the surface of the water tends to freeze first, then when the rest of the water freezes and expands it cracks the plastic. If you are going to use buckets then make sure they are the flexible soft plastic type otherwise you will have broken buckets any time the temps are really low.

Tractor supply carries a line of black, soft plastic which expand easily, I don't know what the prices are for the buckets with handles, but I have numerous of the x-large dog dish style and have never had trouble with them cracking or tearing. We just break out the ice or add hot water to melt the top if it isn't froze solid.
 
fisherlady said:
The problem with hard plastic buckets is that the surface of the water tends to freeze first, then when the rest of the water freezes and expands it cracks the plastic. If you are going to use buckets then make sure they are the flexible soft plastic type otherwise you will have broken buckets any time the temps are really low.

Tractor supply carries a line of black, soft plastic which expand easily, I don't know what the prices are for the buckets with handles, but I have numerous of the x-large dog dish style and have never had trouble with them cracking or tearing. We just break out the ice or add hot water to melt the top if it isn't froze solid.
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Fisher:

These are really cheap soft plastic...use(d) them on my boat....if there wasn't a cheap handle you could pinch the top together....don't know how they respond to cold though..,will check out the TSC alternatives...thanks
 
beaglady said:
Re - knocking food out of the feeder, try these

1) If you use crumbles, switch to pellets.

2) Mount the feeder higher. Feeders should be no lower than the chicken's backs, and a little higher doesn't hurt as long as they can reach it.

I've had better luck with buckets for water, rather than the fountain type waterers. Mine fling bedding into the fountain types.

My permanent pens are set up now, and I want to get my automatic bell waterers set up, but I'm also worried how they will perform in freezing weather. If I get a brainstorm, I'll let you know. Otherwise, it's buckets in winter for me and mine.
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yeah
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...the feeder is head high, but Ginger likes to karate- high kick it and knock everything out!!
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...it is funny to see, but not so funny to keep filling!! We use crumble, I like to ferment with it...when I fill the feeder it is the bag feed(crumble) and a mix of "other" grains.
. anyway..we are going to try the tube thing..2 inches at the base(food) & we have been checking out the thread for this stuff..there are a couple different designs for the food part..no-way they are knocking that out!!
As for the waterer..going with the bucket w/ spigot(to adjust flow) and PVC tubing 1" or 3/4..we still have to see what will handle the nipples. I saw the "cups", but want to try the nipples first. I am thinking this setup will be for the non-freezing weather , and will keep doing the gal. waterer..if we have to we will get the rubber pans. We are trying to change things for #1 easy,#2 save on feed, and #3 space..there isn't alot right now. Can't wait to change that, but $ rules when that will happen. Right now just " livnin' and learnin' " , Keep in mind if you get any ideas..Thanks!
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beaglady said:
First, before you can set prices, you need to know your input costs. Cost of a chick, how much they eat to get to target weight, multiplied by the cost of feed, how long it takes to feed them, etc.

IMO, the 'general public' isn't your target market if you're doing this for money and not as an expensive hobby. If you raise your meat birds in movable pens on pasture, you can end up with a premium product and get a premium price. If you target people who know the difference, and are willing to pay for it, raising meat chickens can be worth your time. I've seen pasture raised, dressed frozen 5# chickens in the $15-$20 range, depending on whether they're sold on-farm or at a market.
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Wing:

To get high dollar, (if its available in you area), you need to go organic...and find some yuppies, my local Malvern Farm Market get really good dollars but they are boutique operations to folks that will pay extra...$8-10 for bacon...etc...BTW, I think there may be a premium market for Bresse...need to find the market...just my opinions...and wish I had 20 acres more.....
 
chiques chicks said:

Inside feeder for dry food. Holds 50 pounds. Outside I use rubber bowls for food and water, Same as wingstone. I may install a water trough inside this winter. Last year I used a 3 1/2 gallon hanging wateter. I may use it again this winter. The plastic ones aren't too bad to get the ice out.
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did you make this feeder? I want to make one like that for inside the coop............I wish I could see more of how you designed it etc.......
 
LittleMissPurdy said:
**Wing-  do you keep your FF outside all the time? ...I am hopeing it is you that had said about doing that...anyway, Do you have a issue with flies or anything like that? I have been keeping the FF in the "chicken-shed" slightly covered and this morning I had teeny-tiny flies...they looked like flies..I don't know...could I still feed this to the chickens or not a good idea? I will start new if I have to, but just wondering if it would "hurt" them...:confused:
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yep, year round, but it is inside the barn...I also get those flies, I just leave the door to the barn open for awhile,,,good airflow seems to get rid of them
 

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