Where to buy feeder and waterer and some questions

[AllisonK]

I have 8 chickens. I made my own feeder and waterer and its not working out to well. Is it unrealistic to expect to only fill the feeder twice a week or so? Maybe I just need a larger feeder. Its a two gal bucket and part of the prob may be the darn chickens keep knocking it over when it gets near the bottom.

So can anyone recommend a place to buy a hanging feeder and waterer? Or any other recommendations? They will be in the run not the coop if that info is needed.

 

[gritsar]

You can get large feeders and waterers at Atwoods, Tractor Supply Stores, local farmer's co-ops, and similiar stores. I have 30 lb. feeders and 3 gallon waterers. I change their water twice a day, just because I believe fresh water is essential to every living creature and I add a (3 qt.) scoop or two of feed to the top of their feeder every day; or whenever I see it getting low.
IMO, unless you have a very small flock it's a good idea to have at least 2 feeders and 2 waterers; even if the 2nd one is a small one. The reason for this is simple, but important. The lowest ranking member of your flock may not be allowed access to the food and/or water by high-ranking members. The underdog can even die from starvation. With two feeders/waterers it evens the odds some for the little ones. My littlest chicken will go back inside their pen and eat while all the others are busy at their outside feeder.

 

[Ladysonja]

Thank you for this tip... more is better.

 

[AllisonK]

I will do a search for those places thanks.

I should have mentioned I checked one of our local feed stores and they only have these dinky (would hold maybe two or three cups of feed) little feeders. So I think I may have to order online. There are two more feed stores in town or I could always go to Portland if I had too.

 

[ccrecelius]

I ordered some feeders and waterers online. I bought them from Cutler Supply.

 

[cmom]

I bought mine from TSC. I have them hanging in my coop. When the girls were little one did fly up and get into the feeder, so I put a plastic plate on top of the feeder with a brick on top to keep it in place and so far none of the chickens have tried to get on it. I tie wrapped a D-ring onto the handle of the waterer, so it would hang better. I have them hanging on chains w/S-hooks and the one on the waterer would slide and the waterer would tip some and water would spill out. No more since I put the D-ring on... The handle on the feeder has an indent so the S-hook stays in place.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...10551_10001_34407_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...10551_10001_34409_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1

http://www.marinepartdepot.com/ststdrist.html

 

[hooligan]

I made my own with 5 gal buckets which are hung in the coop, holds about 40 lbs of feed and since its overed with a lid it stays a bit more fresh. No way they can tip it over since its hung. You might try something like that, here's the link to my pix and the cost:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=68493

 

[willheveland]

Quote:

Here is one that I have for about 10 chickens(top pic),holds about 11 lbs of food and should be hung.Would be a good idea to buy the cover too,so they don't jump in to eat like mine do sometimes.You can get them anywhere that has poultry stuff.Keep them off the ground and they will last a long time.(this ones like 7-8 years old)With 8-10 chickens you could only have to fill it every few days. Will
p.s. I'm not crazy about metal waterers,I like plastic(bottom pic).If you use Apple Cider Vinegar like me it will rot out your metal waterer.