Seems like my pullets forget where their water is!

[suzplunk]

I've got 3 4-month old pullets, who free range in my backyard all day. I leave a waterer out in the shade in the yard (sometimes adding ice cubes this summer). I also have another waterer in the bottom of their coop, which is open all day and clearly visible through the hardware cloth. Sometimes I'll move the water to an area of the yard that they've been hanging out in for a while, and they act like they're dying of thirst! And I've found them roosting in the coop after dark, all panting with beaks open. When I offer them water, once again, they're dying of thirst, even though there are 2 waterers very nearby. Does anyone else experience this? I worry that they're getting dehydrated, especially on these summer days that get into the 90's.

 

[phryan]

I have a waterer with nipples inside the coop 24/7 that is always available. If they see me with the hose they will run to it like they haven't seen water in weeks. It might just be convenience, I may not go inside for a drink on a hot day but if someone brought me an iced tea I'd be all over it.

Keep their main source of water available and in the same place, they should be fine.

I have thought about providing water in their main forage area. However it would either result in more work for me and/or standing water. So until I figure a way to automatically have it drain (and clean) nightly, the flock will have to walk inside for a drink.