Time for new "place settings" for the flocksters

[TexasTurkeyMama]

I noticed that my collection of plastic feed pans are cracking and the galvanized metal pans have corroded holes.

I would like to try rubber feed pans for the layer hens but I notice the sides of the pans available at Tractor Supply are
high, between 5 to 6 inches. Are there any pans with a lower side and still made of black rubber or a tough plastic?

 

[cavemanrich]

Consider visiting a thrift store, and getting Corelle pans. That is what I use. They are easy to clean. Strong, so wont break by chickens standing on or even turning them over. Also consider Pyrex pans as well.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Perris]

I use glazed ceramic cookware for the main pans, picked up for next to nothing at charity shops. Rectangular lasagne dishes are flat bottomed, low sided, heavy (so don't tip when even the largest bird stands on the side), inert (won't react chemically to anything you put in it), don't rot, don't rust, and can be cleaned in the dishwasher.

 

[saysfaa]

Five or six inches high is not too high for adult standard breeds. Mine are stainless steel dog dishes set in buckets so they are raised up to six or seven inches. Raised keeps more of the bedding out, they kick less of the feed out, and the bucket is weighted so it has never tipped over.

They flip nearly all the dishes, pans, plates, and rubber dishes that I set on top of the bedding without the weighted pail under. I only have small rubber feeders though - dog dish size. And I have very deep, very shifting bedding where I set down these feeders. So your milage may vary.

 

[PoppasGrill]

We use thick PVC pipe cut in half as troughs.

We mounted them on wooden legs so they don’t roll over.

 

[igorsMistress]

Five or six inches high is not too high for adult standard breeds. Mine are stainless steel dog dishes set in buckets so they are raised up to six or seven inches. Raised keeps more of the bedding out, they kick less of the feed out, and the bucket is weighted so it has never tipped over.

They flip nearly all the dishes, pans, plates, and rubber dishes that I set on top of the bedding without the weighted pail under. I only have small rubber feeders though - dog dish size. And I have very deep, very shifting bedding where I set down these feeders. So your milage may vary.

That is a great idea!

 

[TexasTurkeyMama]

These are all excellent ideas and I thank you all.

 

[saysfaa]

Fyi, I don't know how obvious people might find this, but the "buckets" are like ice cream buckets, sometimes used for easter baskets. The type is sold in the paint section of many stores also but cost less at resale shops. All that really matters is the dog dish nests in it, preferably with rim of the dog dish overlapping the top of the bucket. I'm casually looking for a good non-plastic option - I think a kitchen pan with a missing handle might work. Or a ceramic kitchen cannister.

I use sand or gravel to weight the bucket under the dog bowl.

I didn't realize dog dishes of the same volume are so many sizes (lol, well, shapes, I guess. Dimensions, anyway.) Doh, lol. Most work but some work better than others - nest more smoothly. Having the rim of the dog dish stick out past the top of the bucket is best - just a tiny bit is enough to get my fingers under it. A little more overlap in the winter lets my gloved fingers get under it.

I think I might be just a tiny bit overboard with how much I like fussing with my chickens and their stuff.