Do your hens prefer dirty water, or clean water?

Date sort Score sort
m1marin

m1marin

Songster
5 Years
Nov 2, 2016
66
53
127
San Leandro
Hi everyone. I have a question about why chickens like drinking dirty water.

We always have lots of fresh water available to our hens at various locations in the run and in the yard where they free range. However, I've noticed that when it rains our hens also drink from the puddles of water in the mud. They even like to sip the compost tea that drips out of our compost tumbler
sickbyc.gif
.

Do your chickens prefer dirty water over clean water? Maybe they like the flavor of dirty water better. I can't figure it out. But then again, they are chickens.
 
m1marin said:
Hi everyone. I have a question about why chickens like drinking dirty water.

We always have lots of fresh water available to our hens at various locations in the run and in the yard where they free range. However, I've noticed that when it rains our hens also drink from the puddles of water in the mud. They even like to sip the compost tea that drips out of our compost tumbler
sickbyc.gif
.

Do your chickens prefer dirty water over clean water? Maybe they like the flavor of dirty water better. I can't figure it out. But then again, they are chickens.
Click to expand...

hmmm, my chickens prefer clean water. Everyone wants a drink when I replace their water. Now the ducks, the muddier the water the better. When you give them fresh they can't wait to muddy it up.
idunno.gif
 
My answer is: both.

When I clean out the waterer and there's nice fresh water in there, they seem to enjoy that more than the water that was there before. At the same time, any muddy puddle seems to get an equal amount of attention. One of my hens vastly prefers the water that accumulates in the roof's gutter no matter what it looks like.
 
Both here also.

I'm in the PNW, so a lot of rain and puddles. The birds drink from the puddles a lot, especially in the horse/cow pens where it's mixed with manure. there's got to be some minerals or some value they're getting from the muddy water, cause they sure go for it.

they appreciate the clean water also, but when I overflow the waterer and it runs down the run, they make a little trail following it.
 
m1marin said:
Hi everyone. I have a question about why chickens like drinking dirty water.

We always have lots of fresh water available to our hens at various locations in the run and in the yard where they free range. However, I've noticed that when it rains our hens also drink from the puddles of water in the mud. They even like to sip the compost tea that drips out of our compost tumbler
sickbyc.gif
.

Do your chickens prefer dirty water over clean water? Maybe they like the flavor of dirty water better. I can't figure it out. But then again, they are chickens.
Click to expand...

Mine will skip the clean water in the nipple bucket for the open pan of dirty water out in the run. Yes they will also drink from mud holes after the rain.I guess it's just more natural.
 
donrae said:
Both here also.

I'm in the PNW, so a lot of rain and puddles. The birds drink from the puddles a lot, especially in the horse/cow pens where it's mixed with manure. there's got to be some minerals or some value they're getting from the muddy water, cause they sure go for it.

they appreciate the clean water also, but when I overflow the waterer and it runs down the run, they make a little trail following it.
Click to expand...

Yea no, I'm wondering if they don't like the taste of the chlorine from my garden hose vs the fresh muddy rain puddle.
 
Both here also .. my gals have three small waterers [refreshed once or twice a day] spread around the back garden and drink from all of them throughout the day [hot climate here].

However, if there is a puddle they are into it like it is chicken candy. It does not matter if the puddle is from the hose and chlorinated, if it is on the ground, apparently it is good!

I have one who prefers to drink from the fish pond
roll.png
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

P
    • Love
Avoiding Freezing water
Replies
1
Views
634
Debbie292d
Debbie292d
ForFlocksSake
Simple waterer vs nipples/cups other contraptions.
Replies
4
Views
1K
saysfaa
saysfaa
TheRusticRebel
I need a new watering system. Suggestions and ideas appreciated.
Replies
3
Views
759
Brooks_
Brooks_
ohnoicantfly
    • Haha
    • Like
Why do my chickens prefer their water when I dump it out?
2
Replies
11
Views
1K
RoyalChick
RoyalChick
EagleEyes
    • Like
    • Haha
Clean Water? what does it mean?
2 3 4
Replies
32
Views
3K
saysfaa
saysfaa

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom