The chickens' water is ALWAYS dirty!!! HELP!!! What do I do?

[wings]

I have a great little flock of 4 hens. Everyone is great for the most part.

As the warmer months have been coming, I've been thinking about their water. I've noticed that they haven't been drinking as much. Then I realized that it's becuase their water is DIRTY! It's DISGUSTING!!!

The water is elevated about 5 inches off the ground. What can I do to keep it cleaner?

 

[mamaKate]

It's possible to use rabbit type water bottles for chickens. Just put each beak to the water and then watch and make sure they know how to use it. You might need more than one bottle.

 

[wings]

Quote:
Hmm.. maybe that would work...

 

[gritsar]

Raise the waterer even higher. It can be as high as your smallest hens back and they can still reach it.

 

[claud]

What kind of waterer do you have? Is it something they can stand in or on?
The fountain type are best with a top that discourages sitting on(bottle in middle and trough all around). They can't stand in it our sit on top of it. Elevated also so they can't scratch litter in it.

 

[Beekissed]

If you are feeding mash, I've found that the mash clings to their beaks and comes off when they dip in the water. Could be just mash residue that you are seeing. It settles down to the bottom and they still get fresh water at the top of the trough.

 

[wings]

I have those classic waterers that sort of automatically disperse water.


So if I raise the waterers a lot, it should be all good?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
My coop waterer is elevated so that they have to reach up to get a drink. The only time it gets dirty anymore is if someone goes nuts digging in the shavings and manages to fling some high enough.

 

[wings]

Quote:
My coop waterer is elevated so that they have to reach up to get a drink. The only time it gets dirty anymore is if someone goes nuts digging in the shavings and manages to fling some high enough.

Okey dokey. Thanks, gritsar!

~wings

 

[caralouise1974]

Yep, I agree with all the above.

I have my drinker standing on top of some house bricks to raise it off the floor, and with its legs extended as far as they will go it is about level with their breasts, but I do also find that they manage to get feed that has been stuck on their beaks into the water too. It does definitely drop to the bottom, leaving fresh water at the top for them to drink. Looks dreadful from a distance, but you can tell if you look closely that all the gunk is at the bottom.

I also found that providing more drinkers means that each individual one gets less dirty. They don't tend to crowd and jostle around it, getting stuff flung into it. They simply go off and choose another, and can all drink peacefully. Seems to help keep the filth out!