Waterer - Problem with pooping (chickens - not the waterer)

[owler]

I recently purchased this double walled waterer and have it sitting on a heater. At least one of my birds has been standing on the top and pooping on it. The result is significant poop in the water trough each morning.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to prevent this from happening?

 

[scbatz33]

some people put a lid or top of some kind as an "umbrella" over the waterer. Birds will perch on anything worth perching on. Feeders and waterers are at the top of that list.

 

[gmendoza]

Quote:
It has a handle at the top? Hang it up! My chickens did that til I hung it up on the rafter with rope. No problems now.

 

[Judy]

Sometimes those things work correctly when hanging, sometimes not.

I used to tie a string between the handle and a spot about 3' above the waterer. I secured it with a bow like a shoestring so cleaning the waterer was no problem. Eventually I was able to leave it off; I think they think it's still there.

 

[gmendoza]

Quote:
Yeah,mine has a clasp so I can just unhook it without untying and tying the knot every time.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Elevate the waterer so the trough they drink out of is at the level of their backs. This keeps a bird from backing up and pooping into the water. It also keeps them from scratching so much litter into it. To keep them from perching on the top, you can tape a funnel on top.

 

[ARose4Heaven]

Funnel on top. Stops em from sitting on it. I put my water heater inside a tire, and set my waterer on it. Keeps littler out of the water, and prevents the waterer from slipping off the heater.

 

[FarmGirl01]

I put my water bowels on the outside of the pen. Then I cut a small hole to they can stick out their heads and drink. Keeps the water clean and easy to fill.

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
I took a lid from a cat litter pail, cut a hole in the dead-center, and strung a rope through it. I hang it right over the waterer so it just rests on the top--that way when the birds try to roost on it, it tips them off. Plus when you refill the waterer, the top swings out of the way--actually I fastened the rope to a big hook and hang the waterer top to it when I fill it. Don't have a problem with poop in the waterer except for what gets kicked in.

 

[owler]

Thanks for the replies. I can't hang it up because the double wall font will loose the siphon if I do and I need it to sit on the heater. I like the idea of hanging a lid right over the top. Thanks.