Watering problem

[foskco3]

First, I'd like to introduce myself to the community, I'm Paul. I just recently purchased 4 girls so I decided to join this site for a bit of help.

I need a bit of help with watering my little girls I have a metal pan for water, a rubber bowl for oyster shell and a mason jar feeder. They seem to eat from the bowl and feeder when they need but don't seem to be drinking... from what I've read it seems like the water level change should be noticeable, but it really isn't... I have kept it clean... side not : (they don't seem dehydrated or under watered) how would one tell if they were really thirsty.

 

[Marty1876]

If the water is clean, and you've dipped each beak in it once so they know it's there, you'll be good. Most folks brood lots of chicks at a time, and they will notice faster. If your very worried, water them in a tea cup until they get where they are emptying it more often than you can fill it, then switch to the big waterer. You can monitor the tea cup more carefully, and thus reassure yourself that yes, they are indeed drinking.

Congrats on the new babies, and I hope you take the time to visit the website, it's a really grate community! Entertaining and enlightening all at once.

 

[foskco3]

Thanks for your response, I purchased these from a guy about 30 mins away that had 1400 to start with he said they were prob a bit stressed from being all together and to give them a week or so to start laying is there any truth to what he said or should I be seeing eggs immediately?

He says they're about a year old each... will the beek dipping still work at this age or should they be finding it on their own?

*Edit* I realized the second question was prob in the wrong section but felt it may be a bit relevant didn't want to opem a second thread for such a small question

 

[Marty1876]

if they are a year old, they may lay soon, but if they are stressed, it maybe a month or two...the stress might force them into an early mult, which is just as well. No need to dip beeks, but if your sure they aren't drinking I would anyway.

I thought they were chicks, not full sized birds.

 

[foskco3]

Ya they are grown! thanks for the help!

 

[foskco3]

This is my feed/water area the yellow bowl is water, black is oyster shell and the feeder is layer feed! What would y'all think if I raised the whole setup off the ground about 6 inches? It is the bottom of an old dog house that my dogs wouldn't get in... if it was raised would they get up there? Or would itconfuse them that I raised it on them?

 

[debid]

There are only four of them so a big bowl of water won't show a noticeable level change each day (unless someone perches on the edge and tips it, that is). I'd suggest a hanging waterer to keep it cleaner and reduce the chance of them spilling it all. BTW, if they weren't drinking, they'd act sickly by now. Chickens don't last long without water. I'd also suggest a less tippy, hanging feeder. The one you're using works well for chicks but busy hens will topple it. Just my 2¢

Oh, and chickens dislike change but are unlikely to stop eating or drinking just because you move or change the container. They aren't that fussy or stupid.

 

[foskco3]

Thanks for the advice I planned to get hanging waterer/feeder eventually, I really appreciate all the help