How muchwwater do you put in a kiddie pool for your hens?

[Messipaw]

Our weather should be getting very hot very soon. I would like to put out a kiddie pool for my hens to keep cool in. How much water do I put in? How many inches high is ok?
I should mention my hens free range while I'm at work so I'm hesitate to try new things just incase something goes horribly wrong. Thank you for your feedback.

 

[Judy]

It shouldn't be deep enough that they could drown, that it would be over their heads. As long as they can walk oout, it should be OK. Chickens don't float for very long, their feathers get waterlogged and they sink.

I tried this one summer with maybe 3" or 4" in the pool and never could get them to stand in there on their own. I hope you have better luck!

 

[donrae]

I have a smaller blue plastic pool that I put maybe 5ish inches of water in for the ducks. I've never lost a chicken in it.

I have had chickens drown in deep water troughs, though. I agree with flockwatcher, as long as they can walk they'll be fine. I put a plank (like a 2x6) over the edge when I have littles in the coop to be sure they can get out.