[Mrs.Apron]

We get our trio of girls home next weekend, woo hoo!

Sorry if this is a daft question.

We have bought a proper drinker for them, but I was just going to use an old flat-bottomed casserole dish for their pellets.  Will this suffice or should we buy a feeder too? 

Thanks folks.  I did google the question, but nothing came up.

[GrannieAnnie]

The only problem with using old dishes etc is that 1.  they can tip them over and waste food, and 2. they may very well poop in their dinner!

I've used things other than proper drinkers at times, but the only time I use anything other than proper feeders is when I have chicks.

[themagicaltoad1]

You would be better off with a proper feeder especially if you could suspend it slightly above the ground, otherwise they will stand in the dish and scatter the pellets everywhere and will attract vermin.

[GrannieAnnie]

Snap Toady!!! 

[Mrs.Apron]

Thanks everyone.  I will hot-foot it to the supplies place and get a feeder. 

[moomintroll]

I did use proper feeders, but found they got gunked up really quickly. So I used my initiative 

I got 2 clear, empty fat ball buckets with lids and handles. I cut a post box style slot in side of each. If you cut the slot about 1/3rd from top, then they cant pull too much out at a time. Keep lid on so keeps food dry. If you remove feeders at night, simply lift out of run and hang up out of reach of rodents etc.... I have nails in my shed roof beam, and hang them on nails overnight. If you sit these on a log or similar, in the run, it makes it perfect height for them to eat comfortably. My chooks prefer these to proper feeders. 

[Fiona55]

I am a novice chook keeper (approx 2 months) I have proper feeder & drinker - the best advice I had was to hang them up,mine are hanging from bottom of hen house which is in the air - they keep so much cleaner and do not get full of mud & droppings etc

[GrannieAnnie]

Mine are on feet, so they don't get mucky either!

[Mrs.Apron]

Thanks everyone, great ideas there!

[ManicMum]

I found that 2 feeders were a good idea, but now they are a settled gang, I have one treadle feeder which makes the pellets go further as the wild bids can't get at them.

Additional feeders will be put out if & when I have the courage to introduce some more chickens, though.

[Raven81]

We always use a proper feeder and drinker, but in this sort of weather I use an (unused) cat litter tray with additional water - its not too deep and can't get knocked over, tho it could get trodden in but they don't tread in it!