PicketFarmer
In the Brooder
- Aug 5, 2020
- 19
- 27
- 49
Hello! I'm new to posting here, but I've been lurking for months since getting chicks for my first flock. Those chicks (10 pullets, one cockerel) are now 8 weeks old, and I've been considering moving them to a big-girl feeder and waterer, but I wanted to ask a couple of questions here, first.
First, about the feeder: after a lot of research, I've decided that the treadle feeder is the best option for my flock, but I have one concern. I've noticed that, since they were very young, all 11 chicks tend to gather around the hanging feeder in a circle to eat together. Even the largest treadle feeder only feeds 3-4 chickens at a time, so will I need to worry about crowding or injury as they learn to use it? Or will the pecking order work itself out, and they simply don't bother eating in turns out of the hanging feeder because there's plenty of room for them (for now)?
Next, about the waterer I should upgrade to. I have been looking at getting either nipples or cups for the chickens, primarily because I'm worried about dirty water and refilling. The standing gallon waterer works perfectly fine right now; I only need to refill it once or twice a day, and their food and water are in an isolated corner of the yard where they don't scratch or dust bathe (though I have had to clean poop out of the water more than a few times because they like to roost on top of it). What are your experiences with nipples versus cups, in terms of mess and ease of teaching your chickens? Or will I be fine with simply getting another gallon waterer when they're too big to live off of the one?
Thanks for your replies!
First, about the feeder: after a lot of research, I've decided that the treadle feeder is the best option for my flock, but I have one concern. I've noticed that, since they were very young, all 11 chicks tend to gather around the hanging feeder in a circle to eat together. Even the largest treadle feeder only feeds 3-4 chickens at a time, so will I need to worry about crowding or injury as they learn to use it? Or will the pecking order work itself out, and they simply don't bother eating in turns out of the hanging feeder because there's plenty of room for them (for now)?
Next, about the waterer I should upgrade to. I have been looking at getting either nipples or cups for the chickens, primarily because I'm worried about dirty water and refilling. The standing gallon waterer works perfectly fine right now; I only need to refill it once or twice a day, and their food and water are in an isolated corner of the yard where they don't scratch or dust bathe (though I have had to clean poop out of the water more than a few times because they like to roost on top of it). What are your experiences with nipples versus cups, in terms of mess and ease of teaching your chickens? Or will I be fine with simply getting another gallon waterer when they're too big to live off of the one?
Thanks for your replies!