water consumption during molt

[jdfette]

My girls started their molt period about a month ago. Ever since that started, it seems that they are drinking less water. Is this normal behavior during molt? Anything I should do to help encourage them to drink more water? thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I don't know about molt, but mine drink a lot less when it's colder (which kind of coincides with molt timing). As long as they can freely access their water, I wouldn't worry about it, they can figure out for themselves how much they need.

 

[aart]

How are you determining that they are drinking less...do you have a decent way of measuring daily consumption?
Is there rain or snow?
Mine drink less when there is.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

This is funny because my hubby and I were wondering about the pullets and cockerels yesterday. There water is kept from freezing with heat tape. I keep checking to make sure it’s not too warm, or no shock. It’s fine, but they don’t seem to drink muck. They are my free rangers. . Little buggers! My older bunch have a larger water bowl, same kind of heat tape. They drink it. There are 13 older ones . 7 young ones, so it’s not like I’m just not noticing drinking levels because there are that many less birds. We do have a lot of snow already here.