How to keep bedding out of the waterer?

[switters]

We have one of these waterers in our brooder:

The problem is that our 2-week old chicks poop in it and fill it up with their bedding (aspen shavings) about every 2 hours - to the point where they can no longer drink out of it.

I've tried elevating it a little bit, by putting it on top of a small piece of 2x4", but then they just knocked it over.

There are times I can't be around to change the water every 2 hours. When I do return and change it, they seem very thirsty.

It seems like there has to be a better way. Is there?

Thanks.

 

[happytxchick]

Well, I was going to tell you to put it on TWO 2x4's that are about 8inches long -- side-by-side to make a square. That is what I do with this same waterer, and it works pretty well. You just have to stay on top of it...I change the water a MINIMUM of two times per day...usually more often.

In the coop I have hanging waterers and that keeps the water clean MOST of the time.

 

[Skamaghetten]

I have the same waterier on two bricks in the corner of the brooder. Much harder for them to knock over and get dirty. However, they are still chickens and I only have to clean it once a day.

 

[ChickenToes]

I don't know if you tried this, but try elevating the waterer again, but this time place the 2 x 4 (or whatever you decide to use) on the floor of the brooder. Placing it on top of the shavings makes it wobbly and easy to tip over. If you've already tried that, than maybe try only filling the waterer 1/2 full. That way the weight is at the bottom and it won't tip over to easily.

 

[lilchick]

My hubby built a platform for mine. Used two 2x4's for the base and a small piece of plywood for the platform. They hop up on it to drink and the shavings do not....
I try to keep the area where I feed and water seperate from sleeping quarters.
Use less shavings and they only gather there to eat and drink.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

I had the SAME problem. I drilled 2 small holes in the top of it (end opposite where the water comes out) and ran a wire coat hanger thru it and hung it from a cross bar in my brooder pen. Filling it up is a little more messy as water will drip out of the holes....BUT, the chicks dont like the fact it "swings" when they get on it and thus....no wood chips. Hope that helps

 

[switters]

Great ideas, everyone. I'll give them a shot.

 

[MaggieRae]

I used tupper ware... It works really well too.

 

[bap40]

I used the same waterer and had the same problem. I elevated mine a bit but the results were not a whole lot better. I was still having to change and clean it out at least every few hours. I ended up getting a hanging waterer and it is great. I clean it in the mornings and don't have to change it until the following day. Good luck!

 

[newchicksnducks]

Elevate, elevate, elevate. This first few days it will be on the brooder floor. Then raise onto bricks one level high. Soon they will be on bricks two levels high. By the time my chicks were getting ready to leave the brooder, it was up on a concrete block 8x8x16 long!

The chicks will also like to land on TOP of the waterer. I used the base of a 24 pack of water bottles (cardboard and plastic) to make a cone. I used duct tape to make the cone shape, and just plop it on top of the waterer. It is easy to remove when refilling and cleaning, and it keeps the chicks from landing on the waterer filling it with their droppings.