Watering Problem

[chicas_red&pepper]

I have 2 chickens and they are troubling me with their constant water dirty-ing.
I don't think they really care about the fact that when they are scratching, they flick dirt into their water. I need a new suggestion. My neighbor has her chick water feeder (same one as me- basic chick waterer) up on a ledge so they can reach it, but not poop or flick objects into it. It worked for a while, but eventually, they got bigger and continued to dirty their water. An easy fix would be best, but we can replace it with a new one.
Thanks,
Chica_red&pepper

 

[cjexotic]

hi,

check this post out.. think it will solve your problem and they are cheap.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=208652

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

We have placed ours on a mason brick and that seems to work OK, still need to change daily. I have read that you can raise it up to the height of their shoulders which would help to keep out of range for flying dirt, etc.

 

[jsimplytx125]

I have my big Galvanized waterer sitting on a log sitting on its end about 10 inches from ground with a log laying next to it so hens can walk the long log to get a drink from it.

Try sitting it on a empty round Ice Cream container, after eating the whole thing, of course. That may be the right height.

 

[wombat]

We put our waterer up on a stand I made from some scrap 2x4. We also put the watterer between the fence and the ramp to the coop so they have less room to get rowdy in near the watterer. It helps keep the water cleaner, but they still get dirt in it. Makes me wonder what goes on in that run when nobody's watching.

 

[lindabean]

I have 2 traditional 1-gallon waterers and a quart Lick-it bottle that clips on the outside of the pen. So far, only the little chicks have had access to the Lick-It, but are using it regularly. I change the gallon waterers every day or so as they are dirty and almost dry. I also have 3 of the Avian Waterers (red screw in watering nipples) that I have yet to install into different types of containers. If you are thinking about trying the Avian Waterers, look up that thread here and it will tell you where to buy them for less than $2 each. They also have several suggestions for how to set them up. I also read on another thread here that adding Apple Cider Viniger to the water helps keep down the green slime that grows in no time here. The thread will tell you how much to add, and even how to make your own ACV from "scratch".
Good Luck

 

[MudPie]

Putting the water'er on a brick base. If you still have small birds, maybe a brick or two for small birds to stand on. This approach greatly reduced the mess in the water for me.