Keeping water clean

[IsaihaShel10]

Get a water that is made for chicken and hang it up and they won’t roost we have some and it works perfectly

 

[IsaihaShel10]

one that is meant to be hung up sorry

 

[aart]

Anyone have a resolution for hens perching on watering cans and pooping in the water? I have been using the galvanized watering containers through the winter but they roost on them and the drinking trough is constantly needing cleaned out. Suggestions appreciated!

You can buy cones that fit most types of waterers.

anti roost cone for chicken feeder

Or you might be able to DIY/hack something that would work.

This is how I keep mine from roosting on waterer, board wire hinged to HC wall.

 

[3KillerBs]

We have a 5 gallon bucket with HN. But to fill it and the feeder we use one gallon pitchers. The bucket moves once a year when we rinse it out.

My well water grows slime so I have to rinse my waterers regularly.

Also, my flock is large enough to empty the waterers in just a few days so I need full refills rather than top-offs.

 

[jreardon1918]

My well water grows slime so I have to rinse my waterers regularly.

Also, my flock is large enough to empty the waterers in just a few days so I need full refills rather than top-offs.

Our flock is down to 4 hens. When full 8-10. Top off happens every two-3 days.

 

[jreardon1918]

We also have a raised coop, so the 5 gallon bucket fits under the coop. It is set on a cinder block. Topping off the water and feeder regularly also allows for status checks. The bucket is full and unfrozen. The temp 7am was 4F.

 

[linguini]

If you don't want to go to a horizontal nipple waterer, you might be able to find an anti-roost cover that fits your waterer.

I used the traffic cone for children's soccer practice as anti-roost cover on the top of my home made PVC feeder. Maybe you can use the feed bag to make a flimsy "tall hat" on the waterer ....

 

[neo71665]

My well water grows slime so I have to rinse my waterers regularly.

Also, my flock is large enough to empty the waterers in just a few days so I need full refills rather than top-offs.

Yep rain water does the same and with 13 birds I fill the bucket weekly. I have to wash both buckets out once a month.

 

[cddiven]

You can buy cones that fit most types of waterers.

anti roost cone for chicken feeder

Or you might be able to DIY/hack something that would work.

This is how I keep mine from roosting on waterer, board wire hinged to HC wall.
View attachment 2973479

Thank you! Great advice and tips! Didn’t know the cones existed. Definitely getting some!

 

[cddiven]

We also have a raised coop, so the 5 gallon bucket fits under the coop. It is set on a cinder block. Topping off the water and feeder regularly also allows for status checks. The bucket is full and unfrozen. The temp 7am was 4F.

Excellent idea! Thanks!