broody is about to hatch, chick friendly water in the run needed?

[drangle]

Hey guys, I have a pair of broodies that should hatch any time now. do I need a water source the chicks can use in the coop or run or will momma give them water from her beak?

I have a 5 gallon bucket with nipples on it in the run, but it is too high for chicks to reach.

do I need to supply something at ground level?

 

[sourland]

They will need a water source. Hens do not provide water to their chicks.

 

[drangle]

any advice on a waterer that wont make a mess and get filled with straw and dirt? can new born chicks drink from nipples?

 

[Perris]

any advice on a waterer that wont make a mess and get filled with straw and dirt? can new born chicks drink from nipples?

a small shallow flat-bottomed dish filled with marbles or equivalent - an inverted lid of a jar will work - and you just have to keep emptying and refilling it, because there's no way to stop it getting mucky. The chicks will stand in it - that's why it needs to be shallow, and the marbles are to stop them drowning in it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

can new born chicks drink from nipples?

Horizontal, absolutely not. Vertical, maybe, if they can reach them reliably. You mentioned your bucket was too high for chicks.