What is the Best Chick Feeder & Waterer for 20-25 Chicks?

[FLSweetTater]

Hello everyone -

We are beginning our chicken adventure and have a couple of questions. I've been researching & planning for the past several months and have spent a lot of time reading posts & articles on this site. We are in the midst of building the coop and the brooder is almost ready.

We are going to get 20-25 chicks. I'm going out today to get pine shavings, heat bulb, etc.

What type of feeder is best for this many chicks - the long trough feeder? It looks like it has 14 holes on each side. Would one of the small round feeders with the 8 holes be enough? Do you set them right on the pine shavings or put them on a little stand? Any DIY ideas for the feeder?

I'm making a chick bottle waterer with the poultry nipples. But I've read that maybe the day-old chicks should have the jar/base waterer first and then after a week or so, give them the one with the nipple. Is that true? Also, how many nipple water bottles for 20 chicks?

Final question - well for this post anyway How long do you think I can comfortably keep the chicks in this size of brooder? ~~The brooder is 4' x 5' x 2' tall. It is made out of plywood.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[fiddlebanshee]

I would vote for having more than one feeder and waterer. That way, if there are bullying issues the less assertive ones have a place to go where the bullies are not.

So two of the smaller feeders (although you'll be filling them a lot, so two of the longer ones would work too). And at least two waterers. The nipples work fine from day 1. I've had chicks on them now for several years, and my advice is to get big bottles or a jug. Before you know it these little buggers are drinking so much that you are forever refilling this thing. I usually have 2 half gallon jugs with two nipples each and two 12" feeders.

I put the feeders on pieces of paper towel, just because they waste a lot and then they still clean up when the can see it on the towel. It's also really easy to lift out and clean up so that not all the feed ends up in the shavings.

I would think they would outgrow this in about 4 weeks.

 

[jenniemig]

Hello everyone -

We are beginning our chicken adventure and have a couple of questions. I've been researching & planning for the past several months and have spent a lot of time reading posts & articles on this site. We are in the midst of building the coop and the brooder is almost ready.

We are going to get 20-25 chicks. I'm going out today to get pine shavings, heat bulb, etc.

What type of feeder is best for this many chicks - the long trough feeder? It looks like it has 14 holes on each side. Would one of the small round feeders with the 8 holes be enough? Do you set them right on the pine shavings or put them on a little stand? Any DIY ideas for the feeder?

I'm making a chick bottle waterer with the poultry nipples. But I've read that maybe the day-old chicks should have the jar/base waterer first and then after a week or so, give them the one with the nipple. Is that true? Also, how many nipple water bottles for 20 chicks?

Final question - well for this post anyway How long do you think I can comfortably keep the chicks in this size of brooder? ~~The brooder is 4' x 5' x 2' tall. It is made out of plywood.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

I started mine on the poultry nipples the day I brought them home. After showing them by tapping the nipple and them seeing the water drip they took right to them.
Make sure your heat light has a ceramic socket, and that the bulb is NOT "coated for safety". Some manufacturers safety coat them with teflon, which is deadly.
Good luck with your chicks!

 

[Cluck Wild Farm]

I'm a fan of the 8-holed container chick feeder, simply because you won't have to refill the feeder as often. For 25 chicks, I would get 2-3 of them in case there is any bullying/food hogging. Two of the small base waterers should be enough - I've never had any experience with nipple/drip waterers, so I can't really comment there. And I would think your chicks should be fine in that size of brooder for 4 weeks.