Can chickens drown

[jberger10]

I want to put in a mini pool for some ducks we have so that they can swim around. The chickens would be around it and i was wondering if they would drown

 

[horsejody]

I doubt that the chickens would wander into a pond. However, I do know people that have had their chickens drown when they have fallen into stock tanks because they were perched on the side getting a drink.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Chickens have been raised on farms with ponds for thousands of years. Farm ponds are traditionally where farm raised free ranging chickens get water. They do not go swimming, but as long as the banks are not so steep that they cannot get out, chickens will not drown if they somehow fall in. Down-covered chicks are different. They will drown if they get in water, but they will not voluntarily jump in. If adult chickens cannot walk out, they will drown since their feathers are not oil covered like ducks and the feathers will eventually get wet and eventually pull them down. They can swim for a while.

I don't know what your area looks like or how it would be set up, but unless you had something strange, I would not expect a chicken to be in any danger of drowning. With certain set-ups, I would expect ducks to make a muddy mess if the drainage around it is not good and they are in a small space, but that was not your question.

Good luck!!!

 

[MakNat]

Watch out if you have chicks running around. They will drown. Sadly I've had 3 drown this past week.

 

[magentamomma]

I have a small pool for my duck and some of my chickens wade too. I lost a chicken in our water barrel though. I think it is a matter of how easy it is for hem to get in and out.

 

[chicks4life]

I would have a ramp into the pool or a flat board so they can climb out. Baby ducks often get stuck in pools if their is not a ramp for them to climb out. I think this would be the same for chickens