batcatz Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Hi, what size chicken feeder and drinker should i get? I need one that will hold enough food for 3 to 7 days for 3 to 4 chickens. Am thinking 2.5kg galvanised type drinker and plastic feeder. I don't have an eglu. I have bigger in my aviary, but can't remember what sizes they are and don't want to get anything too big! This is because I am going on holiday for 2 weeks and am getting people to clean them, top up food and check on them every 2 to 3 days. Also asking neighbour just to keep an eye on them. I dont know her well enough to get her to clean the coop. haha. Also my friends want the eggs so am doing a rota! Amanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Hi I have a plastic feeder and its held up on a piece of strong string suspended on a dog lead as it seems to lessen the food being chucked around which they did when it was on the floor. I have a galvanised drinker..quite pricey to buy but fortunately it was from keeping ducks. This sits on a couple of slabs as I found the water was getting all the wood chips in (another omleter gave me this tip and it keeps it clean) The water one is quite big approx 1 foot high and due to work I usually scrub it well at the weekend and it pretty much lasts for 5 days although in this warm weather I do freshen it up more often.I have 5 chickens Am sure someone will come along as I dont think you can put some of the other things into the water with galvanised(some keepers put added things into the water but I dont do that) reacts with the galvanised?? or something?? Never had plastic water container so cant give any tips of if that is better?? indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 A 3kg feeder will do nicely, the green and white ones with the 'spokes' are very good and stop the chickens throwing the food everywhere If it gets hot the chickens will drink loads so a big water holder is a good idea, about 7 litres would be good, either that or two smaller ones Anything that can be filled from the top is much easier (especially if someone is looking after your chooks for you) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstine Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I'm no good at sizes but in general, get the biggest you can afford and which won't take up ridiculous amounts of space. 2.5kg sounds quite borderline for 4 chickens for 3 days, and won't last a week. You could get 2, then you will have a spare for future introductions. A lot will depend on whether your chooks are free-range or in a run - they will eat more pellets if there is nothing else to snack on (worms, grass etc.) and it is more serious if they inadvertantly run out. If in a run it is crucial that they don't run out of water and can't knock it over so galvanised is good, otherwise suspend it from the roof like indie999. Its the ACV (apple cider vinegar) that you can't use with galvanised. It is helpful to your chicken sitters if the food can't get rained on as they would have to keep changing it even if it hadn't run out, and pellets in particular get very horrid if they get wet then hot (i.e. typical British Summer weather). You can get rain 'hats' for most feeders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted August 9, 2009 Author Share Posted August 9, 2009 Hi, thanks everyone! Really helpful. I remembered when I first got cockateils and ordered a 40 kg sized feeder with rainhat. It was as big as a dinner table! I didn't want that to happen again. This is what I am about to order: 3kg green/white feeder with rainhat. 4 litre green/white plastic hanging drinker (for apple cider vinegar use/spare/and extra water when i go on holiday) AND is this a good idea as this is cheaper than a fountain type: Galvanised bucket drinker 13 litres/3 gallon. Then I won't have to worry too much about the water and debris!! http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Galvanised_Bucket_Drinker.html#aT660407 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 My friend has 3 of those galvanised drinkers and really rates them. I also have one of the 3kg hopper feeder which hangs from my run roof. For water I've glugs in pink as my coop and WIR is boring brown. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted August 11, 2009 Author Share Posted August 11, 2009 Hi, my feeder and drinkers arrived today. The 3kg feeder and the 4litre drinker are both great sizes. Not too big. I really like the bucket galvanised drinker and so do the chickens. Its very heavy to carry when full so will just use the hose pipe. haha. I reckon a smaller one would have been better i.e 1 or 2 gallons, but I always overdo it. hahaha Thanks Amanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I like my bucket drinker, debris still gets in though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
