Hi all! I've had my 2 girls (1 Rock and 1 RIR, each about 12 months old) for 2 weeks now and I'm really concerned with how little they're drinking. They have a 2 gallon nipple system in the coop and a 2 liter rabbit waterer in the run...I know they both know how to use the rabbit waterer and I know that atleast the Rock knows how to use the nipple system. But they barely drink at all; I’m talking a couple ounces per day between the 2 of them. I let them free range for about 3 hours each day so they’re getting moisture in the grass, plants, etc…but that can’t be enough can it? If I take a bowl of water to them, they’ll drink from it eventually but they certainly don’t run to it and suck it all down. Otherwise they seem happy and healthy. Last week they gave me 7 eggs but only 3 so far this week…is that a concern? Any advice? Thanks!
I think that's enough for them to drink when they're supplementing with plant moisture! It sounds like you're taking excellent care of them!
They might be in some what in shock from the move to there new coop. My birds drink muck more than a that a day. I have 7 hens and a Roo in a coop that drinks 3 gallons in about 3 days in the winter and 2 days in the summer. Nate
If it were me I'd put a 5 gallon waterer out in the yard near the hose where it is easy to fill/clean so I didn't have to worry. They can get to it free ranging. I have no experience with the nipple waterers but I wouldn't be happy with that level of water consumption. I ALWAYS have at least two waterers since I have learned that one will surely fail and during the heat of the summer most likely.
Very true! If I have more than 10 birds in a pen I always have 2 waterers in with them. I would hate to walk out there and find birds dead from dehydration. Nate
If they are drinking out of the nipple system then they are fine. If they were thirsty they would be hanging out at the nipples all day.
