small scale watering option for inside the henhouse? MESS

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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