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Keeping the water clean

post #1 of 9
7/9/12 at 4:16pm
Thread Starter 

My chicks are still living inside at night because they are only approximately 6 weeks.  My problem is that they are big enough to get on top of the water container.  I am using the Miller Manufacturing Company 1 quart container that screws into the bottom.  Do you have any suggestions on how to keep the water poop and shavings free?

 

Thank you in advance.

Wife of 26yrs, Mom to 5 Rat Terriers, a pletherer of koi & pond fish, 2 Red Cochins and 2 Barrd Plymouth Rocks.

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Wife of 26yrs, Mom to 5 Rat Terriers, a pletherer of koi & pond fish, 2 Red Cochins and 2 Barrd Plymouth Rocks.

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post #2 of 9
7/9/12 at 4:19pm

How cold is it at night? By 6 weeks most breeds are getting to be fully feathered and they should be ok in the coop unless it is a very drastic temperature change, like during winter (in which case a transition low watt light bulb might be in order).

 

If they have feathers coming in on their heads and are fully feathered, for summertime nights they should be fine in the coop.

 

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKRaisingChicks.html

 

Putting waterers and feeders up on bricks works for me in the brooder to keep the shavings out.

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post #3 of 9
7/9/12 at 4:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChickensAreSweet View Post

How cold is it at night? By 6 weeks most breeds are getting to be fully feathered and they should be ok in the coop unless it is a very drastic temperature change, like during winter (in which case a transition low watt light bulb might be in order).

 

If they have feathers coming in on their heads and are fully feathered, for summertime nights they should be fine in the coop.

 

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKRaisingChicks.html

 

Putting waterers and feeders up on bricks works for me in the brooder to keep the shavings out.

 

Dear ChickensAreSweet,

 

Thank you for your prompt response.

 

Our days have been 95+ with high humidity and I believe the nights are in the 70's.  The folks at the place we purchased them say they are still too young to be put out full time.  These people live close by so they are experiencing the same temps.

 

I fear that if I put the waterer up too high they will not be able to access it.  Is there something that I can safely put on top of it so their poop doesn't get in the water?

 

Regards,

Claire

Wife of 26yrs, Mom to 5 Rat Terriers, a pletherer of koi & pond fish, 2 Red Cochins and 2 Barrd Plymouth Rocks.

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Wife of 26yrs, Mom to 5 Rat Terriers, a pletherer of koi & pond fish, 2 Red Cochins and 2 Barrd Plymouth Rocks.

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post #4 of 9
7/9/12 at 4:30pm

the bricks should work if you  want put some smaller rocks next to the bricks the chicks will hop right up


Edited by mi chicken - 7/9/12 at 4:34pm
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post #5 of 9
7/10/12 at 7:05am

Raising the water fount to the height of the chicken's back will help.  You have to get it up off the ground or they will kick it full of bedding.  One thing I found that really works, is to hang a light gauge chain down from the ceiling, directly over the water fount. It doesn't even have to be connected, just hanging over it, just touching the top.  I found even after raising the fount, the birds liked to jump up on top and hang out. And of course, it doesn't even cross their minds to NOT take a dump when you are sitting on your fresh water supply.  

Jack


 

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post #6 of 9
7/10/12 at 10:14am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JackE View Post

Raising the water fount to the height of the chicken's back will help.  You have to get it up off the ground or they will kick it full of bedding.  One thing I found that really works, is to hang a light gauge chain down from the ceiling, directly over the water fount. It doesn't even have to be connected, just hanging over it, just touching the top.  I found even after raising the fount, the birds liked to jump up on top and hang out. And of course, it doesn't even cross their minds to NOT take a dump when you are sitting on your fresh water supply.  

Jack

JackE,

 

Thank you for this suggestion.  I will try it.  Hopefully these curious girls won't jump up to see what the chain is and get tangled in it.  I will report back on these suggestions.

 

Regards,

Claire

Wife of 26yrs, Mom to 5 Rat Terriers, a pletherer of koi & pond fish, 2 Red Cochins and 2 Barrd Plymouth Rocks.

Reply

Wife of 26yrs, Mom to 5 Rat Terriers, a pletherer of koi & pond fish, 2 Red Cochins and 2 Barrd Plymouth Rocks.

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post #7 of 9
7/10/12 at 10:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CTratterriers View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChickensAreSweet View Post

How cold is it at night? By 6 weeks most breeds are getting to be fully feathered and they should be ok in the coop unless it is a very drastic temperature change, like during winter (in which case a transition low watt light bulb might be in order).

 

If they have feathers coming in on their heads and are fully feathered, for summertime nights they should be fine in the coop.

 

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKRaisingChicks.html

 

Putting waterers and feeders up on bricks works for me in the brooder to keep the shavings out.

 

Dear ChickensAreSweet,

 

Thank you for your prompt response.

 

Our days have been 95+ with high humidity and I believe the nights are in the 70's.  The folks at the place we purchased them say they are still too young to be put out full time.  These people live close by so they are experiencing the same temps.

 

I fear that if I put the waterer up too high they will not be able to access it.  Is there something that I can safely put on top of it so their poop doesn't get in the water?

 

Regards,

Claire


They are no way too young to be outside ... put them out, IMO

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

 

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/631433/hey-gang-whatcha-think-of-my-plans-and-rooster-issue

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For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

 

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/631433/hey-gang-whatcha-think-of-my-plans-and-rooster-issue

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post #8 of 9
7/10/12 at 10:25am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TonySorrento View Post


They are no way too young to be outside ... put them out, IMO

  If I had my way they would be outside.  My husband is reluctant to put them out all night.  He gets nervous if he thinks that their room (the laundry room) is too cool.  I can't fault him for being over protective.  However, they have outgrown their indoor enclosure.

 

Thanks for all the support.  I am going to take this conversation into the appropriate forum.

 

Regards,

Claire

Wife of 26yrs, Mom to 5 Rat Terriers, a pletherer of koi & pond fish, 2 Red Cochins and 2 Barrd Plymouth Rocks.

Reply

Wife of 26yrs, Mom to 5 Rat Terriers, a pletherer of koi & pond fish, 2 Red Cochins and 2 Barrd Plymouth Rocks.

Reply
post #9 of 9
7/10/12 at 1:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CTratterriers View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChickensAreSweet View Post

How cold is it at night? By 6 weeks most breeds are getting to be fully feathered and they should be ok in the coop unless it is a very drastic temperature change, like during winter (in which case a transition low watt light bulb might be in order).

 

If they have feathers coming in on their heads and are fully feathered, for summertime nights they should be fine in the coop.

 

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKRaisingChicks.html

 

Putting waterers and feeders up on bricks works for me in the brooder to keep the shavings out.

 

Dear ChickensAreSweet,

 

Thank you for your prompt response.

 

Our days have been 95+ with high humidity and I believe the nights are in the 70's.  The folks at the place we purchased them say they are still too young to be put out full time.  These people live close by so they are experiencing the same temps.

 

I fear that if I put the waterer up too high they will not be able to access it.  Is there something that I can safely put on top of it so their poop doesn't get in the water?

 

Regards,

Claire

 

Yes, at 6 weeks of age in the summer they should be outside if fully feathered.

 

I place a brick next to the waterer so they stand on the brick to drink. I don't put anything on top of the waterers.

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