Bigger waterers - question about SILKIES

[gritsar]

It's time for big waterers for my chicks. With 32 chicks in the brooder I'm cleaning and refilling waterers hourly it seems.

I am concerned about switching to the 3 gallon waterers that have a trough that is approx. 1 1/2 inches wide because there are two silkies in the brooder.
The silkies are 4 weeks old and are now approximately the size of a "normal" day old chick. They are fiesty and don't get pushed around by the much larger chicks.

Will they be okay with the larger waterers? I don't want them to drown.

TIA

 

[jen5680]

Put a bunch of marbles in it and you won't have to worry.

 

[Elite Silkies]

They seemed about the right size when you sent me pics, but if they are not much bigger by now, I would increase their protein. They do grow a lot slower than other breeds though.

I give all of my chicks to broody hens and they drink from the same waterer's without marbles, and they all do great. If I brood them myself, I put marbles in the waterer.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Yeah, they're growing alright. Much bigger than when I sent you those pics. In the extremely ugly feathering stage right now. Both have full crops at night and are very active, so I don't worry too much about them. Little Blue, now named Jethro, managed to snag himself a cricket last night. I was proud of him.

Trying not to overthink raising silkies. Thanks for the input.

 

[Elite Silkies]

Way to go Jethro!!

 

[Chicken Hobbyist]

This may seem obvious, but what do the marbles do?? Is it so the chicks see the water? New to chickens, lol.

 

[LarryPQ]

Quote:

the marbles let the water through so they can drink it, but prevent them from drowning themselves.