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aart said:
Oh, that's a big one! Wonders why I thought you had a little quart sized chick waterer.
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Yeah it really is! And as you can see, pretty deep, which is another reason I was so paranoid hah But I think you thought it because I did actually have another one and posted it when I first got all the supplies but then I didn't like that one so I ordered another and have been using this one since the beginning but never really posted about it and yeah. I did buy another initially and posted so that's probably why :) But anyway, I don't fill it all the way anymore though. I used to but soon realized that was a waste of water if I'm replacing every day or every other day so I just hardly fill it at all, another reason they sometimes get low. Now that they're bigger though they drink more and it gets lower faster so today I filled it up a lot more. Wanted to add: and the other one I had was pretty small and an actual chick one, red base, so you probably did see the picture of it maybe?
 
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Kdog, the reason you need to keep your waterer clean is because of algae growth and other contaminants that build up. Look under "managing your flock". Some things that can grow in their water can be very harmful. I use 3 round dog food style dishes for my flock. One is white plastic (most used by the flock) and 2 black rubber put out in the yard where they free-range. Each is about 2-3 quarts. Nothing fancy, and easy to relocate and clean. Easier for me and the chickens seem to like the small bowls.
 
Now you're scaring me they're gonna get sick. :( I have noticed though that the couple times I've wiped it, stuff came.off it but i figured it was poo or.something but was gross because it.looked clean. So then should I just scrub it with something or are you saying use soap? The dog bowl thing seems like a good idea though but I already have this.one but maybe when they're older or something. So I should clean it? I don't wanna look cause I'm scared haha probably should though. But also every time I look anything up there's always a million conflicting suggestions
 
Most animals are naturally hardy by design. I just use the scub pad to clean the bowls. I know of no algae or other microbes that grow fast enough to become toxic within one week. Clean food, clean water, and a dry place to roost are possibly the most important aspects to keeping healthy birds. Your feathered babies will do well. Keep the faith.
 
All water will grow a 'biofilm' from naturally occurring organisms floating in the air, rarely will these cause any illness.
It will feel kinda slimy but often have no color, I just 'clean' with hot water and bottle brush, then air dry if I'm swapping waterers or refill if I'm not.
 
Thank you both for the help. :) I'll have to start scrubbing it then. I've been a lot better about checking food and the bedding and stuff too. And thank you aart. It's funny you mention the biofilm and slime because I've noticed the rocks feel like it even after rinsing and the decorations in my old fish tank did too
 
Chickens moved out this morning! Will post pictures later. Gotta get 3 week pics but will tomorrow. I am thinking one or two is a roo. Bright shoulders.
 
I also raised MHP and the food and water. Rear of MHP is on one brick each corner, front is up on two bricks, so 6 total, and insulated back with hay and put another towel on top of the other so they can't eat it and.to make more of a cave. Also turned it up to 4 because it's colder out there (was 3) but may turn it back down since they are older. Need to maybe lift lip too, i think it hangs down too far and idk if they can get under. The waterer is now 3 bricks high instead of 2 and food is 2 high instead of 1. Water was a bit of a stretch and some flew up and others look confused so I added 2 brick halves to step up on 2 sides but they probably really don't even need it. Checked and all seemed happy. Later I will add a little fenced addition since it's still not a ton of space. But the square design instead of round allows me to put the food and water on one end so there is actual floor space now. Still need the addition though I feel since it's just a smallish temp thing (4x4 I think but maybe 4x3). Also going to try giving them outside time maybe starting tomorrow. It's getting a little cold now but they turned 3 weeks yesterday so I think they're old enough. I would sit with them too to make sure nothing got them an they didn't get out. I might put them in a pen. But dumb question: do they need their food and water outside? MHP? I assume probably water? But what about their actual food or MHP? I'm hoping they will forage, they've already been showing interest, and are they big enough to be without MHP a few hours or less?
 

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