Chicks are very inconsiderate and do not bother trying to keep things tidy in the brooder. Bedding is tossed in the water, food gets scratched out all over the floor and poop lands on everything.
I had almost forgotten (since my last batch of babies) how a full feeder is so much fun for chicks to play in. But I have an easy fix that works with small brooder setups.
I like to raise the food and water up on a platform of some sort.
e.g. bricks, up-side-down bowl or cake pan, a board (2x4 pictured but 2x6 might be better), cinder block for bigger chicks. The water has remained relatively clean so far and they haven't started pooping on everything yet, but I know that raising the food and water helps prevent the majority of defilement as time goes on. A taller platform will be needed as chicks grow to keep their butts (literally) out of it. Water should still be changed at least once a day.
My other tried and true solution is to just not fill it full. Ok, it's not groundbreaking news, but it works. And yes, you have to fill it more often, but food isn't wasted. And no matter how much you want to believe they will clean it all up off the floor, they won't. Especially if it's mixed in with bedding.
I filled the basin a little over halfway and put a small jar on top. It's not the right size to screw in, but it keeps chicks from climbing over (and pooping in) the center.
Chicks will still try to scoop and scratch out the feed, but they will FAIL!! Here's my little darlings trying their best at crumble flinging:
Disclaimer: this method may not be practical if you have a bazillion chicks or use a different style feeder. I take no responsibility for what your own crazy birds do.
2018 chicks in the coop brooder
What other solutions have you come up with?
I had almost forgotten (since my last batch of babies) how a full feeder is so much fun for chicks to play in. But I have an easy fix that works with small brooder setups.
I like to raise the food and water up on a platform of some sort.
e.g. bricks, up-side-down bowl or cake pan, a board (2x4 pictured but 2x6 might be better), cinder block for bigger chicks. The water has remained relatively clean so far and they haven't started pooping on everything yet, but I know that raising the food and water helps prevent the majority of defilement as time goes on. A taller platform will be needed as chicks grow to keep their butts (literally) out of it. Water should still be changed at least once a day.
My other tried and true solution is to just not fill it full. Ok, it's not groundbreaking news, but it works. And yes, you have to fill it more often, but food isn't wasted. And no matter how much you want to believe they will clean it all up off the floor, they won't. Especially if it's mixed in with bedding.
I filled the basin a little over halfway and put a small jar on top. It's not the right size to screw in, but it keeps chicks from climbing over (and pooping in) the center.
Chicks will still try to scoop and scratch out the feed, but they will FAIL!! Here's my little darlings trying their best at crumble flinging:
2018 chicks in the coop brooder
What other solutions have you come up with?
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