How on earth do you keep water clean?

[Chickenkeepr]

I've currently got 2 Pekin hens in with 11 hens/pullets. They have a 5 gallon water trough in the attached run that they drink out of. I have raised or off the ground so they can only get their heads in, but they still manage to make it a disgusting mess overnight! The 2 ducks are out from 7am-8pm with a nice big pool outside for them. The run has gravel on the ground but they seem to dig around the trough and I'm assuming spit bill fulls of mud in the water lol. How do you water your ducks while inside? It sure would save a lot of water if I didn't have to dump that trough every single stinking morning.

 

[buff goose guy]

well thats how most people keep their water clean dump it out, clean it, and then refill it. although some people use hand pumps for pools and im sure that you could use it for a trough.

 

[lomine]

If you want to have a clean source of water that the ducks can't muddy you could try a nipple waterer. They will still need water that they can put their heads in to clean their nares but the pool should serve that purpose.

 

[Amiga]

There are filter systems you can set up to recycle the water. It's a bit of a project, but it can save water. OldGuy43 had a setup, and others as well.

I am a gardener, so I dump the swim pans into a channel that waters and fertilizes garden beds. We have some gorgeous flower beds!

At night, I have a watering station in the night pen.

 

[Chickenkeepr]

well thats how most people keep their water clean dump it out, clean it, and then refill it. although some people use hand pumps for pools and im sure that you could use it for a trough.

I understand the water will get dirty over time and need to be refilled, I'm just wanting it to not get turned into a mucky soupy mess overnight.

Lomine- The ducks are just over a year and a half old, will they have a hard time adjusting to the nipple waterer?

 

[Amiga]

Nipple waters do not enable ducks to keep their heads clean - and that can increase the risk of sinus, ear and eye infections. Some use them as a backup for watering buckets.

 

[jducour]

I use a nipple watered at night, and they have free use of their pond from dawn to dusk. I started my ducklings on the nipples when they were about 4 weeks old, but I have added 1&2 year old ducks to my flock, and it took them a day to learn to use the nipples. It seems like if one duck figures it out, they all watch and learn. If you decide to go with nipples, I would still offer a bucket of water at night for a week or two. I would put the nipples where they are most likely to use it, and the other water source right next to it. Over time, separate the water until you can completely remove the bucket. Here is my system, super simple, works for me.

This may not work for everyone, and it can only be the water source at night. During the day, make sure they can have water to dunk their heads in all day.