Watering Problem with Chukars

[drbradclark]

I have 6 Chukar Partritdges in an large indoor flight. I have tried different types of bedding material but no matter what I use they take this stuff and pack it in the water. I first used an open water dish which they filled full od shreaded newspaper. I tried wood chip bedding and went to a round galvanized chicken trough waterer. They still take the wood chips and pack it into the water. I still give them newspaper because they have so much fun ripping it to shreads. Also, they are about 5 months old. Should they have some type of nest boxes? And what do they use for nest boxes? Can anyone help me with this watering deal and is there a way to keep stuff out of the water? They seem to put a lot of effort into packing stuff into the water.

 

[Quail's Hollar Farm]

Try elevating the water dishes, that may help.

 

[chickenwhisperer]

I use rodent bottles from day 1.

Might have to squeeze the bottle and drip some water out, but once at least 1 gets the idea, the rest WILL follow . . .

Get rid of the flat, open dishes.

 

[scruffysmom]

Have you tried chicken nipples? I got mine from Farm Tek and attached them to a hanging lidded bucket. All my guineas, chicken and turkeys use it. I only had to show a few of them how to use it.

 

[ColbyNTX]

All of my birds also use chicken nipples. I have them hooked up to a water line with a pressure reducer and never have to clean or fill water. I do live in Texas and we only get about 2 weeks a year with below freezing temps. I also have a valve on the end of my lines to flush from time to time.

 

[chickenwhisperer]

Yeah, mine will also drink from an Edstrom Valve, similar to the poultry nipples but more geared for rabbits.
These valves work off a low pressure/gravity system as well, but now I use for my rabbits.