Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[JulesL]

Since having my girls at the end of July I've ended up being at home more than usual (usually at work 3 days a week) so they have been free ranging more than expected. My routine is pretty much back to normal now so the girls are shut in the run all day for 3 days (until 5pm) when they are let out to free range.

 

When I get home I'm finding that they have either managed to completely knock the glug or the grub off the side of the run (today was the first time for the grub)

 

How can I stop them doing this? It isn't too bad with the grub as the feed just lands in the tray I keep underneath so at least they can still feed but obviously the water all drains away. If this happens early in the morning then they could be without water all day

 

What shall I do? I'm considering buying a different water dispenser.

[Redwing]

How about the superglug that Omlet sell? I think its heavier as it takes more water so there will be less chance of it getting knocked off the bars and it wont get filled up with anything they are chucking about due to its design.

 

I think a couple of forum members use heavy ceramic dogs bowls but I can't remember of thats for food or water, sorry.

[Egluntyne]

I place the glug so that its base is on the floor and hook it in the normal way. I place a brick in front of it to wedge it in place and that seems to work OK.

[piptiddlepip]

I use a segmented feeder which I got from the farm shop and hang it from the chook house roof. Less waste, no poo in the feeder. Works a treat.

[Hen Watch]

I suspect with the food they will just have to eat it off the floor if they can't learn any table manners.

 

When the Omlet man delivered he put the water glug up as high up as the feed. But recently I changed that and now do the same as Egluntine. I put the glug on the ground and hooked over the bars. They don't knock it that way.

[sheik]

As well as our glug we have a medium "gravity drinker" like the ones on this page: http://www.chicken-house.co.uk/poultry_drinkers.htm

 

They are a bit of a pain to fill but easily last for 3-4 days. Ours is raised up on a brick to stop too much aubiose getting in.

 

It's well worth getting for the peace of mind, and you can move it outside in the summer when they're free ranging too.

 

/\dam

[Scramble]

Our chooks are tiny and food seems to last them at leats 5 days.

 

I was wondering if anyone has had problems with noise?

One of my chickens starts to get quite loud if I come outside but don't let the out of the run.

Any thing to stop this or is it just one of those things?