Do Chickens Like to Get Into Water?

[igorsMistress]

Keep it shallow as suggested. . while you aren't there. View attachment 1801262 View attachment 1801263

Awesome! I live in AZ and my friend has chickens that swim in her pool too.

 

[Tortoise]

Keep it shallow as suggested. . while you aren't there. View attachment 1801262 View attachment 1801263

So chickens actually can swim? Or at least float.

 

[aart]

So chickens actually can swim? Or at least float.

Float maybe for a time, but not for long....I wish folks wouldn't post those pics, misleading.

You are in SC so I assume it's hot. She is likely trying to cool down. Giving her a shallow baby pool to help her keep cool is a great idea.
When it gets really hot, you can put a large block of ice in the pool to slowing melt. I use cereal containers that I fill about 5/6 full with water and freeze then run hot water over the outside to pop the ice chunk out then put it in a plastic tote for my chickens.

What kind of cereal containers? Am picturing cardboard boxes. Not cereal buyer, so <shrugs>

This what I've found to work the best for cooling chickens,
better than ice in waterer, frozen foods, etc:
I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves. Iit really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.

...and BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.

Make space in your freezer:

 

[rosemarythyme]

So chickens actually can swim? Or at least float.

They float until they don't. One of mine walked on water and gave me a good scare, I also wouldn't recommend testing that.

Though at least one poster on here has reported seeing their chickens swimming to cross a small fish pond or something, so my guess is as long as they don't get completely waterlogged they probably can learn to swim for short distances.

 

[Ra_]

All the water and chicken manure will undoubtedly make the plants in the sprinkler zone grow bigger and faster than usual. I may move the sprinkler to another palm after a few weeks. I think the birds will follow, they are loving the environment in this heat.

.

 

[Tortoise]

Float maybe for a time, but not for long....I wish folks wouldn't post those pics, misleading.

What kind of cereal containers? Am picturing cardboard boxes. Not cereal buyer, so <shrugs>

This what I've found to work the best for cooling chickens,
better than ice in waterer, frozen foods, etc:
I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves. Iit really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.

...and BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
View attachment 1801293

Make space in your freezer:
View attachment 1801295

I would never let any animal be alone in a pool or lake, but I have neither close by. Well I would let water birds, but nothing else.

 

[Tortoise]

They float until they don't. One of mine walked on water and gave me a good scare, I also wouldn't recommend testing that.
I'm just glad they dont mind a little wading or misting. Just incase we get a heat wave this year. We usually do get some 90's and I'm all sun.

Though at least one poster on here has reported seeing their chickens swimming to cross a small fish pond or something, so my guess is as long as they don't get completely waterlogged they probably can learn to swim for short distances.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would never let any animal be alone in a pool or lake, but I have neither close by. Well I would let water birds, but nothing else.

I have both a pond and a creek, which is maybe 20' from the chickens. Thankfully none of them have jumped into the creek at least but my "walk on water" moment came when my head hen decided to stroll on top of some pond weeds and got about 10' out onto the pond. At least when I rattled some treats she came back on her own.

All of my dogs have fallen into one or the other (usually chasing ducks). Just got a new dog so I'm sure she'll fall in at some point too.

 

[Tortoise]

I have both a pond and a creek, which is maybe 20' from the chickens. Thankfully none of them have jumped into the creek at least but my "walk on water" moment came when my head hen decided to stroll on top of some pond weeds and got about 10' out onto the pond. At least when I rattled some treats she came back on her own.

All of my dogs have fallen into one or the other (usually chasing ducks). Just got a new dog so I'm sure she'll fall in at some point too.

I wouldnt let my dogs get too either on their own. My cousin lost a schnauzer to drowning. Not a pleasant thing to find a drowned pet.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I wouldnt let my dogs get too either on their own. My cousin lost a schnauzer to drowning. Not a pleasant thing to find a drowned pet.

I don't let my dogs out without supervision and same goes with chickens - ensures that no one is going to be drowning and that dogs aren't getting a chance at the chickens either.