Where to put the feed n water

[M111557]

Ok, this is my first time an I have 3 chickens. Right now they are in a lg Rubbermaid container ..which im getting a coop next week.
My question is when ever I put the water n feed in there the Rhode Island will roost on top of the feed, an ends up messing in the food.
Then the water they all get dirty. I read you change feed an water weekly, but I don't see how, as I change it daily.
An is there a certain amount of feed, or do you feed at certain times, then take out.

What happens when they get their coop, how do I get in there an give fresh feed an water ?
It almost sounds like a pain when they go in the coop.
Please explain this to me.. I even bought a book on raising chickens!
Thanks to all!
Mariam

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

OK here you go:

You can put your waterer up on bricks in the brooder to keep the shavings out. As far as roosting on the feeder, I don't worry about that. Once they get to the coop, you want your roosts to be the highest thing in there- higher than the nest boxes and feeder, so they want to roost on the roosts. They often won't roost until a few months old though.

I keep water and feed available 24/7 for my layers and roos. I keep my waterers on rolling plant stands to keep the airflow going under the waterer to prevent mold. I put my 12 lb feeders inside black rubber feed pans (you can use oil pans too) to catch spills.

 

[RoseMarie1]

I saw some where and I don't remember where but they just sit small funnels on top of the water containers so they couldn't roost on top. Thought that was a GOOD idea because my rir's want to do the same. I have my gallon waterer on a couple pieces of landscaping timbers we had cut off from working on their pen. Then I just put a piece of ceramic tile on top of the two and sit the gallon waterer on it.

 

[oswald808]

you should give them something to roost on...they like to sleep off the ground

 

[ll]

No animal should have "fresh water weekly"
especially birds = DAILY definitely daily.
Get used to refreshing their water daily, sometimes twice.

 

[CrazyPetunias]

What is the size of your coop? Some of the prefab coops are just big enough for the birds to sleep. If that's the case, you will need to keep their feed and water outside. Put the birds in at night only then.

I use a tube feeder for my chicks (pvc pipe with tray at bottom - you can find plans for this type on the gallery page) strapped against the wall to keep it from falling over. At the top, I used a threaded adapter and plug to keep the chicks from messing in the feed. I also put bricks on either side of the tray to keep the chicks from trying to perch on the edge of it.

 

[RoseMarie1]

you should give them something to roost on...they like to sleep off the ground

mine have a roost BUT they are not using it yet.

I have put them up there and they insist on sleeping in a pile on the ground. They aren't that old yet though so they will use it later. They'll use it during the day, just not at night time yet.