Tickled with feeder and waterer!

[Ecto04]

I just got a feeder and waterer for my 8 week old buff orpingtons and Rhode Island Reds. They took to them immediately! I was pleasantly surprised. I had visions of trying to “teach” them but all I had to do was tap on the water nipples a couple of times to show them. With the feeder, I put a few crumbles along the edge to draw them over. Before long their heads were all the way in chowing down. Hurray!

 

[Birdsong 82]

Nice setup. But your gals love it!

 

[AmyJane725]

Those are the ones I got too for when my babies grow up a bit more and move out to their coop. Have them using nipples on their baby waterer right now so they should already know how to do it as adults.

 

[Ecto04]

Nice setup. But your gals love it!

They do really seem to like it!

 

[blackdog043]

If your in a cold climate, you will need to use a heated waterer. Here's what I made, you can buy horizontal nipples on Amazon, if you like doing DIY things. You could always put a stock tank deicer in the one you have also.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ock-tank-deicer-and-horizontal-nipples.74609/

 

[Ecto04]

If your in a cold climate, you will need to use a heated waterer. Here's what I made, you can buy horizontal nipples on Amazon, if you like doing DIY things. You could always put a stock tank deicer in the one you have also.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ock-tank-deicer-and-horizontal-nipples.74609/

I was wondering if you could use something like a submersible aquarium heater when it gets below freezing. I will check out this deicer.

 

[wamtazlady]

I was wondering if you could use something like a submersible aquarium heater when it gets below freezing. I will check out this deicer.

Some people do use a submersible aquarium heater and love them. I researched those heaters and decided they were not the best fit for me for several reasons. First, the ones I researched keep the water at a constant 78 degrees. The chickens do not need water that warm. The water just needs to stay liquid. Some people get partially around this problem by using a thermal cube. Second, those heaters were designed to heat water in a room that is about 70 degrees. The outside here gets down to -22 F in winter. I am not sure how efficient the aquarium heater would be in low temperatures. You also have to be careful to never allow the water level to get below the heater. If you are gone for a few days that might be an issue.

My system is very similar to blackdog043's system. We just use different containers for our water. I use a tote that holds about 10 gallons of water with horizontal nipples. We both use a stock tank deicer that is rated for use in plastic. My deicer cost about $42. It has just completed its 4th Montana winter without letting the water freeze. It turns on when the water temperature goes below 35 degrees. It turns off when the water temperature gets above 45 degrees. What I like best about my water system is that I only have it filled once a week although it could last longer. I am 68 and don't go out in the deep snow and cold anymore. I hire someone to come feed and water the girls once a week during winter.