[b135mh1]

Hello everyone,

We are new to keeping chickens (hopefully getting some on Saturday). Everything is ready for their arrival...not sure about what to do with the feeder/drinker!?!

We have two galvanised metal ones, but should I try to raise them off the ground to stop dirt etc getting in or could I place them on a mini-patio (4 pavers).

Any thoughts please?

Thanks Mark

[hillfooter]

Feeders should be hung up at chx back height to prevent soiling and vermin getting in and kept under cover to protect from rain.  Drinkers are best mounted solidly on bricks or blocks so they can't be soiled or knocked.  If you have only a few hens and lots of space round it so they won't knock against it you can hang water fountains but some designs spill water when tipped slightly and being constantly knocked will quickly empty so on a solid base is best.   It's a good idea to have the drinker raised on blocks with a paving slab beneath so the ground isn't damp and therefore potentially areas where disease can harbour.  Don't keep them in the house as this just encourages the chx to spend more time in there and cause more fouling and they don't need water or food at night and any spillage will cause polution and potential disease.

Consider the need for two drinkers so in the case where they might be able to knock one over there's a back up.  Particularly if you are going away for a wekend and leaving them in a secure run.

Galvanised drinkers can be a devil to keep clean and algae is a problem particularly in summer.  Don't use anything corosive in them for example cider vinegar.  Plastic is very easy to keep clean but not as robust long term as metal as they tend to go brittle if kept in direct sun.

Welcome to the mad mad work of chicken keeping.
HF