[JaK]

I'm doing some shopping for the coop. What size drinker and feeder will I need for 4 hens? Also how much will they eat?Do I buy a 5kg bag of feed or would it be better to get a large sack instead?
 

[Casey76]

I like the 6kg feeders with rain hats.

I fill up every 2 days.

For water, I use a mixture of trugs and 18L bucket drinkers, so that there is always fresh water available.

Personally 25kg of food works out as better value than 5kg.  If fresh, pellets will keep for 3 to  4 months in a cool dry environment.  Your hens will eat on average about 125g of pellets per day, each.

[JaK]

Thank you. I've seen this feeder, am very tempted to get it, what do you think?
http://www.solwayfeeders.com/products/solway-blenheim-feeder-with-outdoor-rain-cover-6kg-psf0023-c397.html

[grinling]

I suspend my feeder and water, so they can't be knocked over.
I store my sack in a metal dustbin to stop rats/mice. I give mine layers pellets  as mash can be messy. I also have 2 flowerpots with a camping peg in each holding it in the ground, one for oyster shell, the other for grit. They free range but still use them.
Someone recommended celebration tin as it is red for water use in winter.

[ANHBUC]

I bought from this company, delivery was quick and they have offers on their feed and water containers at the moment.

www.thechickenhousecompany.co.uk/specials.php

I also hang the feeder up and put the drinker on bricks to stop spillage and soiling.

[GrannieAnnie]

The green and white one from Solways is a good buy and they are made by a British company.  I bought some of those to sell on, and because I could only buy them 10 at a time they cost me £14+ to buy, and most people are charging around £16 for them.

But that deal from the chicken house company is good too.  6kg feeder and 6kg drinker for £10!  But the feeder doesn't have a rain hat or feet

Oooh decisions, decisions!!

[Dominic]

Absolutly get the large sack if you can.

A 25kg sack of feed from happy chicks is £7, 5x5kg bags from P@H are £35


4 chickens should eat 500g a day, so its only 6 weeks food.


As for feeders, up to you really, I think I've got 1x1 litre feeder/drinker, 2x3 litre feeders/drinkers and a couple of 2 litre feeders with hats

The biggest is enough for 6 days in summer, far longer than they will ever be left unattended and the hated ones will do four days, again, longer than they will ever be left over winter.

[Casey76]

Jak, those are the feeders I have.  I'm very happy with them, though I had to stand it on a couple of breeze blocks so the brahmas could eat without lying on the ground lol!

As it has 4 feet it is very stable, and I haven't yet had an issue with it being knocked over, even when it is empty.

[JaK]

Thank you all for your inpit! Thye shopping is done. 
I bought that feeder and one of the bucket drinkers. I will remember they need to be up higher for the bigger birds, thanks fpr the tip.
I was going to get just a few Orpingtons but hav'ing met some beautiful Brahma chicks the other day I'm not so sure Maybe a couple of each?