I also live in central NY north of Syracuse. I am very new to raising chicks. My girls are only 4 weeks old. I also have sulfur water with a water softener. (To Woodmort: no wonder I have a bearded dragon in my 55 gal tank instead of fish. I had no idea). Anyway, the chicks are drinking the water but now I am afraid it may hurt them in the future. There is a spring 5 miles up the road, but that would be very difficult getting when you live in the snow belt of NY. I guess I will try to figure out the rain barrel idea. Thanks BYC people.