Water pans warmer weather

[Kehknee]

Good morning all,

quick question, with the weather starting to heat up a lot have brought up the technique of using a low pan (I use plastic plant bases) for birds to stand in.

great and all, but my question is: with birds that have feathered feet is it ok for their feathers to get wet, dirty, wet again?

can this expose them to extra bacteria’s, or is this just over thinking it. I understand it’s no different than rain or puddles but just curious.

thanks!

 

[Jenessa_09]

Yeah you really want birds like silkies for example not to get their feathered feet wet. That’s why some people keep chickens like that by themselves, I would rather not do that l!

 

[springvalley123]

I did something similar to this picture, but I used clay bricks in a shallow rectangle container. The wicking action of the bricks created a lot of cooling/evaporation. The girls took a while to check it out, but it worked. It would keep their feathers dry. I'm going to set it up again this year, as I have some pullets with feathered feet also.

 

[Jenessa_09]

I did something similar to this picture, but I used clay bricks in a shallow rectangle container. The wicking action of the bricks created a lot of cooling/evaporation. The girls took a while to check it out, but it worked. It would keep their feathers dry. I'm going to set it up again this year, as I have some pullets with feathered feet also.



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That’s a good idea!!

 

[Kehknee]

I did something similar to this picture, but I used clay bricks in a shallow rectangle container. The wicking action of the bricks created a lot of cooling/evaporation. The girls took a while to check it out, but it worked. It would keep their feathers dry. I'm going to set it up again this year, as I have some pullets with feathered feet also.



View attachment 2650029

That’s a great idea, I’ll have to give that a try.

 

[3KillerBs]

Where are you located? Just how hot are your summers?

What is your soil like? What kind of litter do you use in your run? I wouldn't want to put out a pan of water if it was going to be likely to create a muddy place in heavy clay soil or a permanently soggy spot in straw that could mold.

Here in steamy central NC I have not yet found the need to give my chickens wading pools -- though I *might* do so if it were breaking 100F in dry weather. I'm on sandy soil and use pine straw, which dries very quickly on the surface after even the heaviest rain, as the main component of my run litter.

I do make sure that my chickens have plenty of shade and access to ground where they can dig down to cooler soil.

 

[Kehknee]

Where are you located? Just how hot are your summers?

What is your soil like? What kind of litter do you use in your run? I wouldn't want to put out a pan of water if it was going to be likely to create a muddy place in heavy clay soil or a permanently soggy spot in straw that could mold.

Here in steamy central NC I have not yet found the need to give my chickens wading pools -- though I *might* do so if it were breaking 100F in dry weather. I'm on sandy soil and use pine straw, which dries very quickly on the surface after even the heaviest rain, as the main component of my run litter.

I do make sure that my chickens have plenty of shade and access to ground where they can dig down to cooler soil.

I live in southern Arizona, run is covered with hard sand and with whatever they’ve scratched up.

thankfully the ground doesn’t great wet holes and it dries fast. (BleSsing and curse?)

they have a ton of shade and ventilation. Only when it’s 94+ I’ll put out the wading pools. Water changed daily, I’ll put ice or frozen water in their drinks. I’ve also been watering the ground to give a cool spot.

I used to live in eastern NC. I don’t miss the bugs and humidity. But it was super nice thwre

 

[3KillerBs]

I live in southern Arizona, run is covered with hard sand and with whatever they’ve scratched up.

thankfully the ground doesn’t great wet holes and it dries fast. (BleSsing and curse?)

they have a ton of shade and ventilation. Only when it’s 94+ I’ll put out the wading pools. Water changed daily, I’ll put ice or frozen water in their drinks. I’ve also been watering the ground to give a cool spot.

I used to live in eastern NC. I don’t miss the bugs and humidity. But it was super nice thwre

In that environment I don't think you would have any issues with the birds' foot feathers getting wet because they'd certainly dry quickly and with sand rather than clay mud wouldn't stick.