ebinmaine 62,334 #1 Posted May 19, 2019 Trina found a great design for a plastic tote feeder online. It'll hold quite a pile of food and gives very little waste from spillage. Most of the time it will be brought in at night. If we go away it could be left in the coop and they'd have food for several days. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAinVA 4,617 #2 Posted May 19, 2019 Just out of curiosity how many hens and what breeds? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 62,334 #3 Posted May 19, 2019 We bought 12 "straight run" buff orpington chickens. Dual-purpose birds. They are 4-1/2 weeks old now. We won't know the sexes of them for another 3 months. We'll keep one rooster and however many hens. Odds are there are between 6 and 8 hens. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAinVA 4,617 #4 Posted May 19, 2019 (edited) Two years ago we bought 6 pullet hens.They were a Rhode Island Red/Delaware cross.We had been used to helping the next door neighbors take care of their chickens and found them to be not that big an issue.They had 40 plus hens and we collected 12 to 15 eggs a day so that determined the number for us.These girls for the first 1 1/2 years produced 5/6 a day everyday.We were giving away eggs like candy at Halloween.We added 3 new pullets this year,to replace 2 we lost last year.My wife and I have been around chickens for years but having our own flock has been educational. Edited May 19, 2019 by JAinVA 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 62,334 #5 Posted May 19, 2019 2 minutes ago, JAinVA said: having our own flock has been educational. That's actually a lot of the reason we got them this year. Trina and I are planning to become more self sufficient as time passes. Maybe not completely off grid but it's a possibility. We will be producing our own foods in both plant and animal form. This flock is a learning experience/experiment for us. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,331 #6 Posted May 19, 2019 46 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Trina found a great design for a plastic tote feeder online. It'll hold quite a pile of food and gives very little waste from spillage. Most of the time it will be brought in at night. If we go away it could be left in the coop and they'd have food for several days. Looks high tech ! Do they stick their necks in those to eat? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 50,998 #7 Posted May 19, 2019 48 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: found a great design for a plastic tote feeder online. It'll hold quite a pile of food and gives very little waste from spillage. with the lid on it will keep them from pooping in their food too. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAinVA 4,617 #8 Posted May 19, 2019 Eric, I hear you.The missus and I have been striving to do what you and Trina are attempting.We have had a clothes lines all the 40+ we have been married. Small thing but.We have heated with wood for over 35 years.You have seen the sawmill and garden as I have posted pictures of both.If I can't afford to buy something I build it.I used to read The Mother Earth news and a couple of year ago I picked up a copy.Bev and I read it and realized that we have been doing for years what the lastest issue advocates.Good luck with your efforts. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 62,334 #9 Posted May 20, 2019 13 minutes ago, The Tool Crib said: Looks high tech ! Do they stick their necks in those to eat? Exactly 12 minutes ago, 953 nut said: with the lid on it will keep them from pooping in their food too. Another benefit. 2 minutes ago, JAinVA said: Good luck with your efforts Thank you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites