water bath?

[FarmingCityGirl]

We've had a few hot days here recently, our chicks are about 11 weeks old, and they don't seem to like the heat so far. I make sure their water is available and clean, but they just sit in the shade in the run most of the day. I'm wondering if people add a small water bath...or if it'll just turn into a big poopy mess if I do that. Their run is pretty big, about 30x20...but the ground isn't broken into much yet so I'm also thinking of bringing in some sand or DE for them to play around in...at least until they peck at the ground more. And when is that going to happen?

 

[nbenevento]

Typically, a chicken won't go into water. I have seen someone on here that brings there chickens into the pool with them but I would say that is pretty unusual. Have your birds eaten the grass in there pen at all? Mine take no time at all to eat every living thing in there pen. I free range mine but while they are still in the pen, they wipe it out. I am also a fan of sand after they are down to the dirt.

 

[FarmingCityGirl]

I'm really not sure if they're eating grass or not. They eat their chick food, kitchen scraps, and pulled weeds...but they've been out there for a few weeks and there is still plenty of grass and weeds in their run. They seem super happy and healthy...but for these warm days they're just spending their time in the shade. Are they supposed to be taught to eat grass and look for bugs? I really don't want to act like a chicken to teach them what to do lol.

 

[FarmingCityGirl]

Typically, a chicken won't go into water. I have seen someone on here that brings there chickens into the pool with them but I would say that is pretty unusual. Have your birds eaten the grass in there pen at all? Mine take no time at all to eat every living thing in there pen. I free range mine but while they are still in the pen, they wipe it out. I am also a fan of sand after they are down to the dirt.

I'm really not sure if they're eating grass or not. They eat their chick food, kitchen scraps, and pulled weeds...but they've been out there for a few weeks and there is still plenty of grass and weeds in their run. They seem super happy and healthy...but for these warm days they're just spending their time in the shade. Are they supposed to be taught to eat grass and look for bugs? I really don't want to act like a chicken to teach them what to do lol.

 

[CherishHolland]

Are they supposed to be taught to eat grass and look for bugs? I really don't want to act like a chicken to teach them what to do lol.

This made me giggle. I would think that foraging is instinct. So no need to worry about having to teach them to do so. I do get a mental image of you teaching them and it has me rolling.

 

[nbenevento]

If you do decide to try to teach them, please take a video...please! Lol. No it's a natural instinct for them. They probably are eating it. How many do you have? If you don't have a lot and your run is nice and big so the grass is probably just growing faster than they eat it. With that said, if they are healthy and just chillin' in the shade, you have no problem.

 

[FarmingCityGirl]

If you do decide to try to teach them, please take a video...please! Lol. No it's a natural instinct for them. They probably are eating it. How many do you have? If you don't have a lot and your run is nice and big so the grass is probably just growing faster than they eat it. With that said, if they are healthy and just chillin' in the shade, you have no problem.

There are 12 of them, and the run is about 30x20. There's probably more weeds than grass-this was an area not really taken care of when we bought this house. There's also a few shrubbery type things back there...and possibly thorny raspberry bushes so maybe they're eating that too. I'm also finding bugs galore that I don't see them eating. Like ants and some type of black tick type bug. I hope they're eating them.

 

[aart]

You MIGHT have to teach them how to eat the bugs...and yes...... please take video!!!
I hope you have a good sense of humor.