Two-fold query: Teaching old birds new tricks with waterer/ best idea for rodent-free feeding

[the jolly onion]

I've had chickens for about a year now, with a smallish flock of 6 ladies. Our old coop is small (4x6 and about 4' tall), and we've since upgraded to an 8x8 with 9' tall ceilings at the peak. I've not had rodent issues to speak of yet in our old coop, but i've noticed this week (what i'm assuming, anyway) to be a rat hole under the old coop. We are moving them into the large coop tomorrow, but I want to ensure that with the addition of 20+ birds in a few weeks, that I don't wind up with a rodent issue. Any suggestions for a good way to keep feed in the coop but out of the reach of rats? I've seen the hanging feeders, and might try those, but really don't want to waste the money if they allot for a lot of spillage from the swinging/swaying of the feeder (it brings to mind a wild-bird feeder and the spilled seed I always find underneath).
My second questions is, I'd like to switch to nipple waterers, but my current flock of 2year old hens, and my batch of 3 month old youngsters have only had fonts. Is it very difficult to teach established birds to drink from the nipple system? My hens have just started drinking more water since I switched to a heated open bowl for winter, the only problem is that it mucks up so quickly. I'd like to have the cleaner water with the nipple system, but I don't want thirsty birds.
Thanks!

 

[woody1]

I can't believe you've rec'd. no replies.........as for rodents and a bigger problem for me, wild birds consuming huge quantities of feed, I've gone to treadle feeders. I build them myself but they're available for purchase, however, not cheap.

As for teaching an old bird a new trick, I've found that just placing the old waterer next to the nipple waterer will do the trick, especially if you show them the water dripping out of the nipple. It may take a few times but it's not difficult especially if they get a little thirsty. When our new girls come out of the brooder (with font waterer) at about 8-10 weeks, they go to the "pullet pen" which has nipple waterer. They adjust quite quickly. It really takes only one or two birds to start and they all seem to follow. Regards, Woody

 

[HighStreetCoop]

+1. Treadle feeder or build one of the "no waste" bucket feeders (I like the treadle feeder because the rats can't open it). The birds will figure out the nipples quickly enough. Once one pecks, they'll all start.

 

[the jolly onion]

Thank you to both of you for the replies. I think ill see if dh will build me a treadle, and im definitely going to pick up a nipple waterer. ive seen some really neat systems out there for the nipple waterers that id like to try.

 

[RonP]

Posted to another query.
Hope it helps.:

My understanding is that rats/mice are everywhere.
They will congregate and breed where there is available food, water, and shelter.
Look closely around any fast food restaurant and you will see rat bait stations.

They will eventually come, the idea is to prevent them from establishing a colony.
If you see 1, there are probably fifty.
If you see two or more holes, expect dozens.

Keeping a rat trap/bait station baited 24/7 hopefully keeps the population from establishing near your food source. Once established, they are very difficult to eliminate.

Remember, chickens don't attract rats, food does.

That said, I fabricated black 4 inch circular x 18" long drainage plastic pipe as a bait station.
Placed along the outside of my coop, looks like drainage pipe (not unsightly).
I put a t fitting in the center, capped, for easy viewing once a week.
Inside I maintain commercial rat poison.

My run has food scraps 24/7.
My coop has food access 24/7.
Water access 24/7.

5 years, no sign of rats or mice...

Hope this helps.

 

[RonP]

Click Here for my solution to nipple dribbling.

Hope this helps.