Chicks are messy with their waterer :P

[SJchickens]

Our 4 chicks walk in their water all the time. They don't spill it on the floor, but I'm wondering if it's ok for them to walk in it, or should I find them another waterer?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Chicks do that, and it's best if you gradually raise the waterer as they grow. Mine goes on bricks or wood blocks, trying to keep it at back level of the smallest chick. Mary

 

[DanEP]

try raising it a little, it will help a little but probably won't stop them. I raised this last batch of chicks with horizontal nipples from about a week old on and I will never go back to regular waterers. The water stays clean and no wet shavings. Also a lot less work for me, 2 gallons of water last 16 chicks 4-5 days. Their 9 weeks now and I still only go thru 2 1/2 gallons every 3 days.
With four chicks you might get by with a rabbit water. Walking in the water isn't to bad but the pooping and bedding aren't good.

 

[SJchickens]

Welcome! Chicks do that, and it's best if you gradually raise the waterer as they grow. Mine goes on bricks or wood blocks, trying to keep it at back level of the smallest chick. Mary

try raising it a little, it will help a little but probably won't stop them. I raised this last batch of chicks with horizontal nipples from about a week old on and I will never go back to regular waterers. The water stays clean and no wet shavings. Also a lot less work for me, 2 gallons of water last 16 chicks 4-5 days. Their 9 weeks now and I still only go thru 2 1/2 gallons every 3 days.
With four chicks you might get by with a rabbit water. Walking in the water isn't to bad but the pooping and bedding aren't good.

Thank you for your advice! I think we will switch to poultry nipples, but at the moment this basic waterer was the only one they had in stock. Whenever they get shavings in their water I remove them.

 

[DanEP]

I agree on switching to the nipples, it's a lot better. I have tried both the horizontal and the vertical types and much prefer the horizontal ones. they cost a little bit more but work a lot better too.