Best chicken feeder and waterer????

[Gearhead846]

I currently have an open dish for food, and a bowl for water but I would like to upgrade. and needed some new ideas for a feeder and a waterer for about 30 chickens I also have a HUGE sparrow problem (those darn things I can't seem to get rid of them )

What is your favorite feeder/waterer?
And ANY ideas and photos would be great!

Thanks

 

[Ais]

I have a large Grandpa's Feeder which is great for keeping rodents and light birds out, but what I don't like is the feed doesn't always flow properly from the reserve down.... I often have to take the lid off and push the feed down.

 

[Ais]

Some pictures in normal and training modes

 

[Ais]

For water I have a couple 5 gallon food grade buckets.

 

[Tobymartin601]

Any waterer that looks likethis with a lid and cap I highly reccomend. The last one I had lasted me ten years. It takes getting used to,but I strongly prefer it over ones where you fill it up from the bottom. Absolutely hate it when they spill everywhere.

 

[Gearhead846]

Some pictures in normal and training modes

Do those keep sparrows out? And how much do they cost. Also how many chickens can you feed with one of those (I have to feed 30)

 

[Ais]

Yes, I bought it because 1) I was blowing through feed thanks to sparrows and squirrels and 2) I didn't want to attract rats/mice. Since getting, I go through much less feed. My chickens adapted to it in less than 2 weeks. https://www.grandpasfeeders.com/products/

 

[Ais]

The large holds 40 lbs of feed and says it can last 12 chickens 10 days. For 30 chickens I'd buy at least 2 just for how many can feed at one time.

 

[Ais]

I'd strongly recommend making nipple waterers as they keep clean which greatly reduces your risk of disease. It doesn't take long at all to teach one chicken to use it, and as soon as the other chickens see her using it, they follow. Just get one's attention and push the nipple so they see the water dripping out and voila!

 

[Ais]

Do those keep sparrows out? And how much do they cost. Also how many chickens can you feed with one of those (I have to feed 30)

Also, keep in mind if you have mixed ages (as in chickens that aren't yet heavy enough to trigger the treadle on their own) you will need to keep it ajar in one of the training modes - otherwise they can be on there feeding with another chicken and when it steps off - bam - injured or dead chicken. When all the chickens are heavy enough on their own, go back to secure mode.