Space-saving, spill-resistant food & h20 solutions?

[KBrammell]

I'm trying to set up a food/watering system for my 3 little ladies in California. My girls have a coop from Precision Pet thats ~8ft L X4 H ft X4 D ft. My priorities for their food and water system is spill-resistance, hanging above ground, and a narrow profile so they maximize their coop area when not in their extended run... I would consider modifying the coop to fill with food and water through a hardware cloth area... but my concerns are mostly predators getting their food/spillage. I don't mind refilling every few days. Any DIY or commercially available solutions you would recommend? My DIY level (much like my backyard farmer level)...is beginner.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I mix my chicken crumble feed with water into a very liquidy mush. They love it and get hydrated as they eat, Absolutely no waste, and it's lip-smacking good (so they say).

 

[KBrammell]

I mix my chicken crumble feed with water into a very liquidy mush. They love it and get hydrated as they eat, Absolutely no waste, and it's lip-smacking good (so they say).

Wow that’s interesting, I never even considered that. Thanks for the idea

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Wow that’s interesting, I never even considered that. Thanks for the idea

I never did either until I bought some crumble feed that was basically dust. I got the bright idea to mix it with water to see what would happen. They absolutely loved it (lip-smacking good).

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Wow that’s interesting, I never even considered that. Thanks for the idea

btw, I mix mine about 50-50 feed-water (if not more water). When I set it out there's about an inch of water covering the feed. As it sits the feed soaks up the water until it disappears. They appear to like the more liquidy stuff because they will eat out of one spot, which creates a little well of water (if that makes sense).

 

[Sueby]

I might have to try that, my last bag of crumble is basically just dust. Thanks for the idea!

& to the OP: I am a bit limited on space too so I just picked up a 2 gallon bucket & added horizontal nipples instead of 5 gallons for the coop.

 

[Sueby]

I tried it yesterday because the crumble is such dust they just dump it on the ground now, they LOVED it. . I wasn't sure they would because i have some very picky chickens. But after they got over being scared of it they ate it all!

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I tried it yesterday because the crumble is such dust they just dump it on the ground now, they LOVED it. . I wasn't sure they would because i have some very picky chickens. But after they got over being scared of it they ate it all!

The more liquidy you make it the more they smack their lips. I'm starting to wonder if mine are free ranging less and eating more feed.