Unexpected hatching - help!

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I really need some help again. Tahi is driving me crazy!
Yesterday, she started tipping over the water bowl. I am using a fountain feeder. The thing is, it is still too cold outside to put them there permanently and the inside enclosure is build of cardboard boxes for extra space. Well, the whole thing was soaked, so today I spend HOURS cleaning everything up and made it nice and dry. Set everything back up, put them in: Nice! First thing she does is spill the water!!!
I offered her bathing water and she took it happily, but still insisted on spilling the bowl right next to her tub. I tried to secure the fountain feeder by tying it to the cage, definite spill! I just dont have the time to deal with this right now because tomorrow morning I'm going on a four day trip for the first time since she was born. A friend is feeding them but she can't be bothered with cleaning up Tahi's mess! Also she does it instantly when I set it back upright, so that would mean to clean it up and change the whole enclosure every day, which I can't do. Right now, my only solution is shutting the cage door, because Tahi is too big to get through, while the chicks can. Feels kinda harsh but I have run out of options.
HELP!
What can I do to fix this problem? Will it be enough to have her drink in the morning and in the evening when my friend comes and then shut her out again? I really have no options because we're leaving in a few hours.
 
I use heavy crockery dog bowls from The Warehouse because they are difficult for poultry to tip over. However, your other chicks may not be safe around them yet. I can't remember how big they are.
 
Theblackpukeko said:
I really need some help again. Tahi is driving me crazy!
Yesterday, she started tipping over the water bowl. I am using a fountain feeder. The thing is, it is still too cold outside to put them there permanently and the inside enclosure is build of cardboard boxes for extra space. Well, the whole thing was soaked, so today I spend HOURS cleaning everything up and made it nice and dry. Set everything back up, put them in: Nice! First thing she does is spill the water!!!
I offered her bathing water and she took it happily, but still insisted on spilling the bowl right next to her tub. I tried to secure the fountain feeder by tying it to the cage, definite spill! I just dont have the time to deal with this right now because tomorrow morning I'm going on a four day trip for the first time since she was born. A friend is feeding them but she can't be bothered with cleaning up Tahi's mess! Also she does it instantly when I set it back upright, so that would mean to clean it up and change the whole enclosure every day, which I can't do. Right now, my only solution is shutting the cage door, because Tahi is too big to get through, while the chicks can. Feels kinda harsh but I have run out of options.
HELP!
What can I do to fix this problem? Will it be enough to have her drink in the morning and in the evening when my friend comes and then shut her out again? I really have no options because we're leaving in a few hours.
Click to expand...


Would something like this help?

zoom.jpg

I don't know if you'd be able to get one. You could try and make something similar perhaps. Sorry I didn't see your post sooner. Best of luck.
 
Kiwibird said:
However, your other chicks may not be safe around them yet.
Click to expand...
Exactly my concern. They are 3 1/2 weeks old and reasonably big. They fly and everything. Still, I don't want to risk them drowning but I don't know how to achieve that. Also I kinda don't have the possibility to get a heavy bowl before we leave... But thanks a lot, I'll definitely think about something like that for after I return! I'm just really clueless on how to solve this issue short-term :(
 
Make a drinking jug like some people do for ducklings.

Get a milk jug (or similar container), cut holes in the side (several inches below the bottom of the jug) only slightly larger than her head (so she can't get her entire body inside) and fill the jug to just below the level of the holes. The weight of the water should keep her from tipping it. You can do something similar for the chicks but with holes too small for Tahi to use it.
duckling waterer.jpg
 

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