Chickens pooping in water bowl

[AlexEve]

I have a heated water bowl my chickens drink from. Unfortunately one of my birds loves to perch in on the edge or even stand in the water, resulting in tons of poop getting mixed into their water. I tried raising the bowl on some bricks so it’s higher up, with the intent that this behaviour would be discouraged. However this just made her more curious, and started even laying from the height (of course with broken eggs). So my question is how can I prevent her from not only perching on the rim, but not be able to stand in the water at all? Any help would be appreciated, thanks

 

[cherrynberry]

What if you hang it on a string, so if she gets on it wobbles and put it high enough so she cant just step in.

 

[aart]

Heated dog bowl?
Wonder if the wire guard from a heat lamp placed over bowl would work?

 

[AlexEve]

Heated dog bowl?
Wonder if the wire guard from a heat lamp placed over bowl would work?

Unfortunately the only heat lamp I have didn’t come with a guard. Can you buy them separately?

 

[AlexEve]

What if you hang it on a string, so if she gets on it wobbles and put it high enough so she cant just step in.

It might work, tho the bowl’s design would make it pretty tricky to hang. Knowing the offending chicken, I’m sure she’d find some way to spill it anyways

 

[cherrynberry]

It might work, tho the bowl’s design would make it pretty tricky to hang. Knowing the offending chicken, I’m sure she’d find some way to spill it anyways

Sometimes you may just somehow end up with EXTRA naughty chickens

 

[aart]

Unfortunately the only heat lamp I have didn’t come with a guard. Can you buy them separately?

Hmm.....probably not but not sure.
Another idea..... a cylinder of 2x4(or larger) fencing around the bowl.
Maybe 1-2' tall and pinched almost closed at the top.
They can reach thru 2x4 holes to drink but not perch on top,
(tho they might try a few times and knock it over).

 

[AlexEve]

Hmm.....probably not but not sure.
Another idea..... a cylinder of 2x4(or larger) fencing around the bowl.
Maybe 1-2' tall and pinched almost closed at the top.
They can reach thru 2x4 holes to drink but not perch on top,
(tho they might try a few times and knock it over).

Hmm, that could work. I might try that, thanks!

 

[aart]

Hmm, that could work. I might try that, thanks!

Let us know, with pics
You sure don't want them standing in the water...frostbit feet are no joke.

 

[AlexEve]

Let us know, with pics
You sure don't want them standing in the water...frostbit feet are no joke.

Will send pics once done! We’re in a bit of a warming period at the moment, so I’m glad it’s happening now and not when it’s -30°C later this month