A quick waterer from stuff around the house

[smoothmule]

As usual, I go to the hatchery to pick up a few chicks that I plan to give to a couple little hens to raise and I ended up with more than I set out to buy. I came home with 3 nice turkey chicks and I wasn't prepared. I fixed a brooder out of a box and a small dish for food and water but knowing how dity the water gets, I wanted to be sure they would have fresh water all the time.

I dug around and found a baby bottle once used for an orphaned foal and the rubber nipple. I cleaned them thoroughly and snipped the tip out of the nipple, but only to the point where it was rounding. Then I found a glass marble small enough to slip down to the very tip, filled it and tipped it upside down. It has been working beautifully. The chicks went to it immediately and they love it. Over night, 3 chicks drank over 3 ounces. That was the other cool thing, I can measure the amount they take in at a glance and it's so clean. Also, when they drink the tiny bubbles show they are getting water and the floor under it is dry. I wrapped a thin coat hanger wire around it to hang over the side of the box. It's not a new idea, it's like a guinea pig water bottle but I didn't have one on hand so I made do.

They really looked happy and content this morning and they eat a bit then drink. I'm looking seriously at an old calf bottle now, the nipple can be snipped the same way and a larger marble used.

 

[newbiecaroline]

That's it? wow not much to it huh?!!
Did you have to show them ?
( Glad I don't live near a hatchery

)

 

[smoothmule]

That was it. Easy. I didn't have to show them either, they were already following my finger and pecking at it. The soft nipple was just too much to ignore.

Now I'm wonderingif they can get too much water. When they're awake, they're all three standing under it drinking away. It's like they're posessed, lol. They're eating good too but boy do they like their waterer. I've never used an automatic water system like they use in larger facilities so I was a little skeptical but they went right to it.

I do wonder if they will adjust as easily to a regular waterer once they are older and outside.

 

[smoothmule]

I was watching these chicks go after the water and took a short video clip of them. I thought I'd share it