Watering questions.

[whitey4303]

I have 6 chicks right now and I am using a quart jar waterer with the that plastic base. This is what was suggested by the store I bought chicks at and I dont know if I'm doing it wrong, but I cant get more than the plastic base full of water. When I fill the quart jar, it empties right out. Any help with this would be great

One last question. I was told to use some "antibiotic" in the water to help prevent the chicks from getting sick. Is this neccessary now? I dont know how much to use because I dont have a full quart to do measurments because it all leaks out the base. I dont have the name of the powder they gave me, but I can update once im home and not at work. Thanks again for all help!

 

[Ridgerunner]

You need to screw the quart jar on well. With a plastic base and plastic jar, they can become a bit warped so it is not always easy.

The main thing is to get it level when you set it up. There are some small holes that need to be under water when the red ring is full. As the water is drunk, the holes become exposed, the vacuum is released, and water comes out until those holes are under water again. If it is not level, all those holes never get under water so the water never stops coming out.

I never use antibiotic unless the chicks are actually sick. They need to develop immunities to certain things while they are chicks. The antibiotics interfere with that. I think they grow up healthier without antibiotics. Others obviously disagree.

 

[underground chickenman]

I would get the one gallon waterer. Two reasons: 1. It has a larger diameter, which makes it more stable (in a few weeks, your chicks will be able to knock the quart over) and it has more room around the edge for simultaneous drinking as the chicks get bigger, which they do quickly, and 2. It can hold more water. They won't drink a gallon right now, but they will drink more than that quart before too many weeks, and the extra water protects against dehydration in case you get stranded somewhere and can't get back until the next day.

UGCM

 

[Opa]

If you do opt for using a one gallon waterer you will need to place marbles or small rocksin the water trough to lessen the risk of chicks drowning in it.

 

[goldnchocolate]

I don't quite understand what the problem is. Is the water spilling out when you tip it back upright?

 

[teach1rusl]

It sounds to me like you just don't have it screwed on tightly and evenly, and therefore you don't have a good seal, so the water just keeps emptying out. As someone else suggested, make sure that the base is screwed on really tight/snug before turning it over.