how to keep chick water clean

[Sammimom]

My four chicks are about 3 1/2 weeks old, and still growing nicely in a very large dog crate in the laundry room. However, I'm finding it impossible to keep their water clean, it is a small plastic "chick" water container, an inverted "jar" style with a tray at the bottom. They poop and walk in the tray portion all the time. How do you all solve this? Could I train them to use a water bottle (such as a rabbit variety) at this age? I don't see a way to hang the current little container I have, nor do I have room to put a large hanging water dispenser in there for them.

 

[cw]

try raising the waterer up a few inches seems to help

 

[shelleyd2008]

They can use a water bottle, or you can use a small block of wood to set the waterer on. You don't have to hang it.

 

[fargosmom]

I put a picket fence of chop sticks, rubber-banded around the glass jar, which extended up about 4 inches over the top of the waterer - this kept the chicks from sitting on the top and pooping over the edge. It didn't keep them from kicking shavings into the water (although raising it up on a brick helped that some), but it kept most of the poo out of the water. It was a cheap fix and it worked great. Hope this helps.
and . . . .

 

[Mahonri]

Lift it up.. and continue to raise it as they get older.. Make a cone out of paper or light cardboard and tape it to the top of the waterer....that way they won't try and get on top of it.

 

[Jen4]

Our chicks are 3 weeks old (32 of them) and yes I too was cleaning their water container out 5 or more times a day... since we made them a bigger brooder I raised their water container and their food container its wonderful... only have to clean it 2 maybe 3 times a day

 

[Chicken Fruit]

Yep, raise the water up to the hight of their backs. Make sure the riser is the same circumference as the waterer base or they'll all hop up on it and make a mess of it up there.

 

[Chicken Fruit]

Quote:
Wow thats a really good idea... Why dont they MAKE chick waterers with guards on them in the first place?

 

[Chickenmaven]

Quote:
GENIUS!

 

[mmtillman]

Quote:
GENIUS!

I see a patent in the works!