Deep Litter -- no water all night?

[Shrader]

I put this up in the "Feeding Time" forum, but maybe it's better suited here:

So we're trying the deep litter method in our coop (tonight's the first night). I want to make sure all my chickens are safe, so I've locked them in. but we're not supposed to get any water on the litter, and so my understanding is no water in the coop. Can they go all night without water? Has anyone else come across this issue? Thanks.

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

Put water in the coop.

Not getting the litter wet is ideal, but not always possible.
Put your waterers on a stable base raised above the litter to help keep them from scratching the litter into the water & to reduce spills.
If litter gets wet, take out the wet litter as soon as you can. Wet litter creates mold.
You can make a base the size of the bottom of the waterer & have it raised to the height of the chicks back, or make it bigger so when they get up on it, there is no litter to scratch into the water.

I have used concrete paving squares, a large piece of plywood for baby chicks, bricks under the waterer...etc. Just whatever you have handy.

You didn't say the age of your chickens, if they are older, I would recommend a base the same size as the bottom of the waterer.

Jean

 

[jkm]

I have a one gallon waterer, I made a handle out of rope and electric tape and clip the handle up to stabilize the water on the brick, they knocked over the water while i was at work .
now they can't
idf you need a pic I can send

 

[Shrader]

Thanks so much Jean. They are 6 1/2 weeks old. Last night was their first night out in the coop. I read your response last night and immediately put some water in for them.

 

[Shrader]

jkm -- I'd love to see a pic of your waterer. Thanks.

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

Shrader....you're welcome.

 

[mosier]

Hi. I am new to chickens and am waiting for my little fuzzballs (May 30th). I've toured a couple of inner city coops here in Madison, WI and what I've seen some people do is to have the basic waterer outside, but then have a pet waterer inside. I guess you have to train your chickens to use it, but once they learn it's really easy and doesn't spill. Maybe you could do that?....That's what I'm planning to do, although I"m not sure how to "train" them. Here's a photo I took: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79832321@N00/494256926/