what does your oyster shell and grit feeder look like?

[l'abeille]

I tried putting out little bowls of oyster shell and grit. The bowls are upside down and who knows where the contents went. What do you use to offer these?

 

[Tala]

Right now I'm currently using a two-bowled tip-proof cat feeder. It works sorta ok, but I'm probably gonna figure somethin else out.

 

[AngelzFyre]

I use those small metal baby pig feeders, they are open topped but you can modify and make a lid for them to keep poop out. I put mine on top of cement blocks in the coop and they stay just fine and don't have to be filled as often as bowls. They don't tip them over, I've used them 3 yrs now.

 

[Dora'smom]

I use heavy little crocks that I found on sale in the pet (dog and cat mostly) section of our local Fred Meyer store. They are short enough, and heavy enough that they are difficult for the birds to tip over. Every once in awhile someone does, but it's pretty rare.

Christina

 

[Kerjack]

Uh I was mixing the oyster shell into their feed, is that bad?

 

[BeardedLadyFarm]

Mine look suspiciously like the small plastic feeders I started the chicks with back in April.

They don't tip over when they're full of oyster shell or grit.

 

[DeGriz]

l'abeille :

I tried putting out little bowls of oyster shell and grit. The bowls are upside down and who knows where the contents went. What do you use to offer these?

Someone on BYC posted something similar for use as a waterer.

I made these from 3" pvc sewer pipe for about $8.00 each.

(1) tube
(1) 90 degree coupling
(1) 45 degree coupling
(1) Cap

There are some small holes drilled in the bottom section to drain rainwater where the grit/shell comes out. Mounted with zip ties, but could easily be mounted with screws.

Easy fill from the top.​

 

[GardenWeasel]

Empty tuna cans nailed to a stud. Grit in same. So small they can't sit and poop in it, ya know how small the tuna cans are now a days.

 

[MimiChick]

Since I only have 4 chickens, I use the small plastic cage cups (about 2 x 4) that you get at the pet store for both grit and oyster shell. They hang right on the wire of the coop, at about back height for the birds, so they don't get tipped over. They only cost a couple of dollars each and work great. I actually bought several so I would have some for my hospital cage too. They are too small to perch on and being on the side of the coop they don't get pooped in either. I placed them near the hanging feeder and the girls just get what they want whenever they need it.

 

[l'abeille]

thanks for all the great ideas!