Poultry

Poultry buying guide

Veldkraft lists 92 poultry, priced from R1 to R3 340, from brands including Poltek, Westerman's, DeBird, Philips. Orders are delivered to all nine provinces and to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini.

Choose chicken feeders for your flock

Choose chicken feeders by flock size and bird age, so every bird can eat without crowding. Tube feeders hold a column of feed that runs down into the base as birds eat, which keeps feed cleaner and cuts down on refilling. Poltek feeder tube parts, such as the ribbed base and universal lid, are listed separately, so a damaged part can be replaced on its own. Set feeders at roughly the height of the birds' backs to reduce spillage.

Fount drinkers or a low-pressure system?

Water founts are self-contained drinkers that suit chicks and small flocks, while a low-pressure tank feeding drinkers through tubing suits larger houses. Poltek founts are listed from 750 ml for chicks up to 12 litres, and a 4 litre bayonet base is sold on its own. The Poltek 5 litre low-pressure water tank comes complete or as a base only, and connects to drinkers with flexible tubing. Choose a system you can clean and refill daily.

Keep drinkers working with spare parts

Replace worn parts instead of whole drinkers. Poltek MK4 drinker stems and valve assemblies are listed separately, along with flexible drinker tubing in 3 metre lengths, so a leaking valve or split tube can be fixed quickly. Check that a spare matches your drinker model, such as MK4, before ordering. Leaking drinkers wet the litter, which raises ammonia levels and disease risk, so inspect valves and connections whenever you clean the system.

Feed chicks and hens by stage

Feed each age group the ration made for its stage. Westerman's Chic Chic No.1 is a chick feed and Chic Chic No.2 a chicken feed for older birds, while DeBird Chico 1 is a chicken feed mix. These feeds come in a range of bag sizes, up to 50 kg for some lines. Change rations gradually over a few days, keep clean water available at all times, and follow the feeding guide on the bag.

Heat for brooding chicks

Young chicks need extra heat until they are feathered, and infrared bulbs in a suitable lamp holder are a common brooder heat source. The Poltek lamp holder for infrared bulbs is listed for this; check that it suits your bulb's wattage. Hang the lamp securely, keep it clear of bedding and walls, and adjust its height by watching the chicks: crowding under the lamp means they are cold, and spreading to the edges means they are too hot.

Egg trays and pigeon mixes

Vented Poltek egg trays hold 30 eggs each and let air move around the shells, which helps keep eggs clean and dry during collection and storage. For pigeon keepers, Westerman's lists Young Bird and Breeding pigeon mixes in bags from 1 kg up to 25 kg or 50 kg. Choose the pigeon mix named for the stage your birds are in, and store all feed sealed, dry and away from rodents.

Poultry: common questions

How many chicken feeders and drinkers do I need?

Base the number on flock size and bird age, so every bird can reach feed and water without competing. Check the manufacturer's capacity figures for each feeder and drinker type, and add more units as birds grow. Spread feeders and drinkers through the house so birds do not crowd one spot.

How do I stop chickens wasting feed?

Set feeders at the height of the birds' backs, fill tube feeders only as far as needed, and use a base with a lip or ribs that stops birds flicking feed out. Keep feeders out of rain so feed does not clump or mould, and store bags sealed, off the floor and away from rodents.

What should day-old chicks eat and drink?

Give day-old chicks a chick feed made for their first weeks, such as Westerman's Chic Chic No.1, with clean water available from the start. A small fount, such as the 750 ml Poltek fount, lets chicks drink easily and reduces the risk of them getting wet or drowning. Follow the bag for when to move to the next ration.

How do I keep chicken drinkers clean?

Empty, scrub and rinse founts and drinker bases regularly, and flush tubing and low-pressure tanks between batches of birds. Set drinkers level and at a height that keeps litter out of the water. Replace cracked bases, worn valves and perished tubing, which are listed as separate Poltek parts.

How much do chicken feeders and drinkers cost in South Africa?

Veldkraft lists 92 poultry products, including feeders, drinkers, spare parts, egg trays and feed, priced from R1 to R3 340. Price depends on capacity and on whether you buy a complete unit or a single part. Valves, lids and stems cost least, while complete low-pressure tanks, large founts and big feed bags cost more.

Need help choosing? Ask us and we reply within one working day.