Baby chick loves playing in water

[Criticalicious]

Last week I acquired 3 Black Copper Maran chicks, and they are thriving (the breeder only had 3; I'm going back for 3 more on Thursday). One I am fairly confident is a rooster, because of how he walks and stands compared to the other two.

And he is enamored with WATER. I gave them a standard chick waterer, the kind with a tray and a mason jar, to drink from as well as a horizontal nipple drinker. He plays in the tray of water and he is fascinated about drinking from the nipple waterer. I propped up the tray drinker and added shelf liner in it to prevent drowning (didn't have marbles).

I check on them frequently to be sure they aren't getting wet and chilled, and they can run under the heat plate any time they like. They're currently in a brooder inside the house. I keep my house temperature between 66 and 74 degrees F.

Has anyone had a chick play in the water? My adult chickens are scared to death to stand in a pan of water, so this is new to me. It's darn cute to hear the giggles though.

 

[Shadowfire]

It's uncommon, but not unheard of. Truly adorable when it does happen, though!

 

[Criticalicious]

These are only my second time with chicks, and this guy is already quite the character. The first three days I had them, about 7:20 am he stood on top of the heat plate and screamed bloody murder. I think he was lost or looking for other chicks. He dislikes when I leave the room too. And he refuses to eat the fermented feed but I shall not give up!

 

[aart]

I propped up the tray drinker and added shelf liner in it to prevent drowning (didn't have marbles).

Curious how shelf liner takes the place of marbles?
Post a pic, please?
Maybe he's enamored with, or just curious about, the shelf liner material?
Have never seen a chick 'play' in an open waterer,
the HN's get quite a work out tho...that shiny pin!

 

[Stacyoung13]

Last week I acquired 3 Black Copper Maran chicks, and they are thriving (the breeder only had 3; I'm going back for 3 more on Thursday). One I am fairly confident is a rooster, because of how he walks and stands compared to the other two.

And he is enamored with WATER. I gave them a standard chick waterer, the kind with a tray and a mason jar, to drink from as well as a horizontal nipple drinker. He plays in the tray of water and he is fascinated about drinking from the nipple waterer. I propped up the tray drinker and added shelf liner in it to prevent drowning (didn't have marbles).

I check on them frequently to be sure they aren't getting wet and chilled, and they can run under the heat plate any time they like. They're currently in a brooder inside the house. I keep my house temperature between 66 and 74 degrees F.

Has anyone had a chick play in the water? My adult chickens are scared to death to stand in a pan of water, so this is new to me. It's darn cute to hear the giggles though.

My baby silkie thinks that she is a duck!!

 

[Criticalicious]

Yes, he was also attacking the shelf liner, although he's recently stopped doing that and finally accepted the fermented feed. I used the shelf liner to prevent drowning because it blocks some of the water and provides a rough surface for the chick to stand on. I would have used marbles if I had thought ahead. The dish isn't that deep to begin with and propping it up helped too. If I had smaller chicks like bantams, this would not be ideal.

 

[Saaniya]

Last week I acquired 3 Black Copper Maran chicks, and they are thriving (the breeder only had 3; I'm going back for 3 more on Thursday). One I am fairly confident is a rooster, because of how he walks and stands compared to the other two.

And he is enamored with WATER. I gave them a standard chick waterer, the kind with a tray and a mason jar, to drink from as well as a horizontal nipple drinker. He plays in the tray of water and he is fascinated about drinking from the nipple waterer. I propped up the tray drinker and added shelf liner in it to prevent drowning (didn't have marbles).

I check on them frequently to be sure they aren't getting wet and chilled, and they can run under the heat plate any time they like. They're currently in a brooder inside the house. I keep my house temperature between 66 and 74 degrees F.

Has anyone had a chick play in the water? My adult chickens are scared to death to stand in a pan of water, so this is new to me. It's darn cute to hear the giggles though.

So cuteeeee I think no need to worry except if it's cold

 

[Saaniya]

My baby silkie thinks that she is a duck!!
View attachment 1733421 View attachment 1733422

Omg so cute

 

[Barb Root Hinkkanen]

My Cemani chicks are three weeks old and are doing something with their water. There are two of them. I check in them multiple times a day and have to clean their brooder and fill their water. I changed out the waterer thinking there maybe a leak. No. I put in a bigger waterer and this morning, water everywhere. It doesn’t leak. They seem to like walking in it.

It’s very warm here in South Mississippi so I plan on moving them into the little coop later today.

I love the picture of the chick in the marble bowl. I think I may try that and see if I can keep it clean enough. They are so much fun!