small scale watering option for inside the henhouse? MESS

[greenguys]

okay, its their first day in their house and the girls have slung their water everywhere. We're trying to keep them JUST in the house until Wed so they know it as their home and where they are supposed to sleep.

The waterer we have is the standard one you can at TSC. I think it's a gallon, red bottom, white plastic top. In the next few days, it will go into the run.

QUESTION: what can be used INSIDE the henhouse for a small-scale, no mess option for water? (remember, in our case, I only have 4 girls in a small house.) Will chickens actually drink out of those water bottles that hang?....the kind you see for pet mice and such that attach to a cage wall with the little metal tube? Or are there other options? The ones that come with the pricey Omelt products look less messy.

The one we have, the one time I did try to suspend it from a chain, they got up on the edge of it, causing it to tip to one side and spill.

HELP....small house that I don't want the entire floor ruined in during the first month.

thanks in advance,
Greg

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

We have one of those small metal bases with a mason jar screwed on the top in the chicken house for an "extra" waterer. It doesn't make a mess as long as the girls don't knock it over.

 

[greenguys]

just saw "cage cups" at mypetchicken.com. http://www.mypetchicken.com/Feed_and_Feed_Supplies-Cage_Cup_10_oz-P192.aspx

are they a good option? Just don't want them to be hungry/thirsty during the night.

 

[smokeater413]

Did you have it on the floor or hanging? We hung ours as high as the smallest hens back and we have no problems like that.

 

[enola]

You need to hang the waterer high enough that the chickens need to reach up to get the water. Not high enough that they stand on their tippy toes, but almost that high. They will put their beaks in the water, tip their heads up and swallow. Very little mess can be expected when the waterer is properly hung.

 

[greenguys]

as high as their back? okay, will try it. And they don't try to jump up on it?

guess I'll have to let them into the run so I can clean up their mess....

G.

 

[lux_interior]

yeah I think hanging is the best option, or at least elevating it. My waterer is inside their coop for now too, because they still stay in all night. I have it set on top of some stacked 9'' x 9'' concrete blacks, and its high enough that it doesnt make a mess, and low enough that they can reach it. So try putting something underneath it if you can't hang it yet!

you can see it here

 

[greenguys]

well, it's been about 3 hours. suspended from a chain about the height of their backs and so far, no spillage....just drinking.

thanks so much. Height of their backs....that was good information to know.

Greg

 

[TheNewMrsEvans]

This is another great option if you have a small flock...you can put the bigger bottles on them too...
https://www.randallburkey.com/prodinfo.asp?number=4449

 

[AtRendeAcres]

I like that TheNewMrsEvans thanks for posting!