messy water drinkers

[kaylyntheweirdginger]

I was thinking about how to keep the run and coop dry as I have ducks and chickens living together. The ducks are incredibly messy drinkers splashing water everywhere. I have the trough style waterers and one hanging upside down nipple waterer that seems to leak a little bit. In the run I was thinking of a brick area to keep it from getting muddy but then the ducks are still wasting water by splashing it everywhere. In the coop I was thinking of buying and using some overflow pans that you put under water heaters since they are wider than the trough but shallow enough that they all can still get to the water. the pan would act as a collection bin too so they can drink out of that too if they spill enough.

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

Your solution could definitely help keep some water in. If you're able to, the best solution may be to dig in a small "pond" (a kiddie pool works well) with a drain for easy cleaning, and put a brick or concrete rim around it that slopes into the pool. Then have a nipple drinker for the chickens. The fact is though that ducks are simply messy, messy birds, and if they can find a way to make things a muddy mess, they will.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Sounds like a good idea....at least try it!

 

[CanadaEh]

for chickens: no water in the coop, really deep litter in the run

 

[Peppercorngal]

I agree, no food or water needs to be in the coop. That is a place to lay eggs and roost for the night. I have food and water in the totally enclosed runs and also in the free range area. We have a creek that runs through the free range area and the chickens love it for wading and looking for worms and such! Too bad I have no ducks! It does not snow here.

 

[neo71665]

Ducks by nature are messy. There is a reason it's not suggested to keep water fowl with normal fowl.

 

[kaylyntheweirdginger]

I agree, no food or water needs to be in the coop. That is a place to lay eggs and roost for the night. I have food and water in the totally enclosed runs and also in the free range area. We have a creek that runs through the free range area and the chickens love it for wading and looking for worms and such! Too bad I have no ducks! It does not snow here.
View attachment 2966452

it is currently 0 degrees and feels like -7. their coop door is open but they chose to be in the coop because even the coop is only like 15 degrees.

 

[Carters Chick House]

I agree, no food or water needs to be in the coop. That is a place to lay eggs and roost for the night. I have food and water in the totally enclosed runs and also in the free range area. We have a creek that runs through the free range area and the chickens love it for wading and looking for worms and such! Too bad I have no ducks! It does not snow here.
View attachment 2966452

I'll be getting my first chicks in May. Should be fine keeping food and water outside in warmer weather but during winter all will have to be in coop.