Pond in a chicken run, Yes or No?

[ChickenFlamingo]

Interesting to read that other chickens drink dirty water.
I had been diligently giving mine fresh water every day, and cleaning out the waterer.
And then I felt very put out when my hens got over excited by a dirty rain puddle. They couldn't get enough of that mucky water.
And, BTW, my ungrateful cats are the same - totally ignore fresh clean water, lap up festering pond water.

 

[Folly's place]

It's all about the flavor!
Mary

 

[vickie craig]

Would it be a good idea to install a pond in the chicken run. I'm thinking of getting a koi fish pond type thing and putting it in the ground. then installing a continuous flowing pump to circulate the water. Would the chickens drink from it? would it be safe for them? would it attract mosquitos? would the eat said mosquitos? is there any reason this would be a bad idea?

I just had to deal with 45 large koi fish dying because the guineas and chickens are shitting in my bogs. High nitrates will kill fish

 

[Folly's place]

Ducks like ponds, chickens, not so much. And they really don't swim. Also, sad to see what happened to Vicki's fish.
Mary

 

[Allisonm4530]

I have a Koi type pond in my run with a small circulating water pump in it. It's raised from the grund level by about 6 or 7 inches. I originally had an in ground one surrounded by just large rocks. The ladies definitely pooped in it, walked in it, and flung the dust from the nearby dust bath into it. It was gross! This solved the problem! It's raised just enough to let them drink but not an appealing plans for them to roost on the edge. It's hard Rubbermaid so I can drain it, use the water from it to water our grazing boxes, and then clean out out. It's beautiful and functional! And no kamikaze chickens in this flock! I highly recommend it!

 

[aart]

I have a Koi type pond in my run with a small circulating water pump in it. It's raised from the grund level by about 6 or 7 inches. I originally had an in ground one surrounded by just large rocks. The ladies definitely pooped in it, walked in it, and flung the dust from the nearby dust bath into it. It was gross! This solved the problem! It's raised just enough to let them drink but not an appealing plans for them to roost on the edge. It's hard Rubbermaid so I can drain it, use the water from it to water our grazing boxes, and then clean out out. It's beautiful and functional! And no kamikaze chickens in this flock! I highly recommend it!

Pics @Allisonm4530 ?

 

[Allisonm4530]

Pics @Allisonm4530 ?

 

[Carters Chick House]

ok thank you. This answers my question. I was not sure if chickens would swim or not. I didn't think they could drown. I guess all birds are not ducks....


we are beginner chicken people and don't know much.

so no pond then.... what do they do in the wild? I picture whole flocks of drowning chickens in some lake in the woods.

My chickens like standing in shallow water when its hot. I place a few of these in the run,shaded areas,and such.

 

[BackyardinWales]

ok thank you. This answers my question. I was not sure if chickens would swim or not. I didn't think they could drown. I guess all birds are not ducks....


we are beginner chicken people and don't know much.

so no pond then.... what do they do in the wild? I picture whole flocks of drowning chickens in some lake in the woods.

Have you thought about a pond less waterfall. No pond persee, but moving water so no drowning.