Chickensaurus Rex
In the Brooder
- Jun 1, 2023
- 8
- 30
- 37
So I live on several acres about half of which are forested. There is a large one acre pond. We DEFINITELY have field mice I've had to seal out of the main house. There's also an old barn and a shed on the property that at least harbor field mice but would make nice rat homes until I can repair them. I've got 9 chickens (8 weeks old; brahmas and orpingtons) with a secure coop and predator resistant 10x18' run. We're going to go on vacation in a month and I'm trying to make choices about what feeders to buy. We're in this for the long haul. My biggest concern is staying ahead of a rat problem by not letting one ever develop; this is easy to do when I'm home every day to put up feed but it's not realistic to have someone check the chickens twice a day.
Right now I'm using an ordinary borrowed gravity feeder like you buy at tractor supply. Have something similar for a waterer.
Here's my questions
1) is it worth trying to teach my flock to use water nipples over the many other systems available when there's a natural water source 100-200 feet away? Or should I stick with a 5 gallon bucket with the little cups attached?
1a) can I teach my birds to use water nipples in a month? Temperatures while we're gone could be mid 80s to 90s depending on what GA feels like.
2) Is it worth getting a Rat Proof Feeder (the brand) specifically before we go on vacation? Can my little 8 weekers be taught to use it in time assuming I follow the training instructions exactly? Or would I be better off getting the feed port attachments for a 5 gallon bucket and get the Rat Proof Feeder later when they're heavier/more grown?
Thank you all for your insight!
Right now I'm using an ordinary borrowed gravity feeder like you buy at tractor supply. Have something similar for a waterer.
Here's my questions
1) is it worth trying to teach my flock to use water nipples over the many other systems available when there's a natural water source 100-200 feet away? Or should I stick with a 5 gallon bucket with the little cups attached?
1a) can I teach my birds to use water nipples in a month? Temperatures while we're gone could be mid 80s to 90s depending on what GA feels like.
2) Is it worth getting a Rat Proof Feeder (the brand) specifically before we go on vacation? Can my little 8 weekers be taught to use it in time assuming I follow the training instructions exactly? Or would I be better off getting the feed port attachments for a 5 gallon bucket and get the Rat Proof Feeder later when they're heavier/more grown?
Thank you all for your insight!