How to keep the brooder dry and the water clean?

[3chickadees]

I started out with one of those screw on quart jar waterers, set up on a block of wood, and I didn't have any mess. How ever, as they have gotten bigger (I have twelve 3 1/2 week chicks) I would have to refill it several times a day. So I switched to a 3 gl. waterer, but it's not working out too good. They make a terrific mess with all of the water, and the bedding stays damp. They also kick up tons of shavings and poop into the water, which gets really gross.
Today I noticed one of the chicks was sneezing. I am afraid it has a cold due to the wet bedding, but I can't keep it dry. What kind of waterer can I put in a 3'x4' brooder that won't spill out all over the place?

 

[jewelzbird]

Put the water up on something to elevate it a little. I have an upside down bowl under mine. I have also read roosts can help keep them from roosting on the water. On youtube I see people making chicken waterers with a water bottle and something called a chicken nipple. That may not help to keep it dry though, but the water stays clean. Just make sure they all have it figured out so they don't dehydrate. My chicks make a terrible mess too!

 

[Blooie]

I swear by poultry nipples. Got tired of the mess switched over to an ice cream bucket with 2 vertical nipples and it took 2.3 seconds for them to figure it out. Now they are big chickens outside and they have a 5 gallon container of water with 4 horizontal nipples. Yep, there were some drips directly under the nipples in the brooder, but I slipped a small brick under it and that did a pretty good job of catching the drips. The way I looked at it, a little drip spot beat the heck out of a brooder wet from north to south! I have found that the horizontal nipples leak less than the vertical ones did.

 

[3chickadees]

I've put the waterer on a cement block, and that has helped, but I think I am going to order some chicken nipples. I worry about them not having clean water. Has anyone used poultry cups?

 

[coffeychicks]

I also swear by nipple waters. My brooder has one in a Gatorade bottle hanging in the brooder. Chicks figured it out instantly. No mess in water

 

[coffeychicks]

I also swear by nipple waters. My brooder has one in a Gatorade bottle hanging in the brooder. Chicks figured it out instantly. No mess in water

I use verticle ones

 

[Blooie]

I've put the waterer on a cement block, and that has helped, but I think I am going to order some chicken nipples. I worry about them not having clean water. Has anyone used poultry cups?

Beekissed has used them, and recommends them highly. She said that if any debris does get into the little cup part, she just turns it to face downward and sweeps it out with her finger. She also said that she hasn't had any issues with them freezing. She takes a little warm water out, adds it to the bucket, taps on the little metal spring part, and any ice in them is gone. I haven't tried them yet - so far I'm happy with the horizontal nipples but I think we'll switch over before winter.