2 replies to this topic

[Rhubarb and Custard]

Hello!

After many years break from chicken keeping, I am finally in a position to own chickens again!

Having completely forgotten what my chickens drank from, I am left with this question: What do you use for your chickens' water?!

I have seen automatic refill ones, but the water must be very old by the time it runs out if you use these, surely?

A simple trough? A water bucket? What do you use for chickens and which is the best in your opinion?

Also, have you any food suggestions? I was about 10 at the time, and have forgotten what they were fed, too. Probably wasnt the best, what ever it was, anyway! A mix of corn and layers pellets? Which brand of layers pellets?

Thanks very much, Rhubarb

Edited by Rhubarb and Custard, 14 April 2019 - 11:28 PM.

[paigieee]

Welcome back to the chicken family haha!!

 

WATER

 

If you're getting chicks, it's best to start with something small so that they can drink it or don't fall in... such as this: x which you can get at walmart or hardware for fairly cheap. Bird feeders are generally good starts for chicks.

 

As they grow older, you can use bird baths (our chickens LOVE them) or troughs. 

 

To fill them, you can just bring a hose down there or fill buckets if you can't get the hose to extend that far lol

 

 

FOOD

 

As for food, you can feed a lot to chickens !My family buys corn and something with oyster shells, which will give you better eggshell quality so that they don't break. Make sure to give them oyster shells or other foods high in calcium because it is very high in calcium and to make eggs, it needs calcium. If they aren't getting sufficient amount of calcium, then their bodies will start to take the calcium from their bones which isn't a good thing for the hen.

 

ALSO: I feed my chickens leftovers if they go bad or other foods like banana peels, potato skins, etc. orrrr... let them free-roam and they'll find a bunch of bugs around the place. 

 

 

Good luck! With enough research I know you'll be able to care for them. If you do have any questions please PM me, I don't remember the name of the brand of our feed but if you want to know i can check!! just being lazy atm haha

 

sources: chicken owner for almost my entire life lol

[Rhubarb and Custard]

Welcome back to the chicken family haha!!
 
WATER
 
If you're getting chicks, it's best to start with something small so that they can drink it or don't fall in... such as this: x which you can get at walmart or hardware for fairly cheap. Bird feeders are generally good starts for chicks.
 
As they grow older, you can use bird baths (our chickens LOVE them) or troughs. 
 
To fill them, you can just bring a hose down there or fill buckets if you can't get the hose to extend that far lol
 
 
FOOD
 
As for food, you can feed a lot to chickens !My family buys corn and something with oyster shells, which will give you better eggshell quality so that they don't break. Make sure to give them oyster shells or other foods high in calcium because it is very high in calcium and to make eggs, it needs calcium. If they aren't getting sufficient amount of calcium, then their bodies will start to take the calcium from their bones which isn't a good thing for the hen.
 
ALSO: I feed my chickens leftovers if they go bad or other foods like banana peels, potato skins, etc. orrrr... let them free-roam and they'll find a bunch of bugs around the place. 
 
 
Good luck! With enough research I know you'll be able to care for them. If you do have any questions please PM me, I don't remember the name of the brand of our feed but if you want to know i can check!! just being lazy atm haha
 
sources: chicken owner for almost my entire life lol

Thanks very much for your answer! Okay so a mix of corn, layers pellets and a bit or oyster shell! Yes, I remember ours having a metal plate of oyster shell now you mention it!