We're about to go on a long trip and leave the chickens

[gale65]

My chickens seem to prefer the water that runs out when I water the tree in the run, which is all over the muddy poopy ground. They eat dirt that they've pooped in and don't seem to mind eating bugs which I wouldn't eat. Our other animals are the same way. I give the cat fresh water in a scrubbed bowl and he goes and drinks from an upturned toy that has dirt in the bottom of it and a little tiny bit of warm water. I give the dog fresh water and she likes drinking from the puddles in the driveway instead. I don't think our animals worry about it as much as we do. lol

 

[Katy]

Mine drink out of the puddles too, but they also all come running to get a drink out of the water when I change it out.

 

[stubbornhill]

We still have the traditional waterers. We have them up on a 4x4 or 6x6 piece of scrapwood. We have the whole set up under their nesting boxes. This way it is up high enough for them to drink out of, but they can't get on top to poo in it. It is up against a wall so they can only get to 3 sides. Seems to be working really well. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[GoldDogsMom]

I set my waterer on a couple of flat cement blocks, high enough so they don't walk in it but low enough that they can easily reach it. I change the water twice a week, but have gone as long as 1 1/2 wks before. A sitter or at least someone to stop by once/twice a day is always a good idea, if something would happen (for me, it was a weasel attack)....enough said.

 

[Stacykins]

Quote:
I know most animals will drink from less than savory conditions, but fresh water should always be provided. Yes, they will muck it up, and yes, they will go drink from a muddy puddle. But I think fresh water at least once a day, if not more, is part of responsible animal keeping. My chickens get fresh water in the morning, and if they muck it up, I give them fresh again. Why? My philosophy is if I wouldn't drink that water, then they shouldn't drink that water.

 

[GoldDogsMom]

I agree and I do check their water every morning, if it has pine shavings in it I clean it out. It's a 2 gallon waterer so if I just tip it over outside, it flushes the drinking area out...and they come running like it's all brand new again!

 

[chickyluvr97526]

Personally I don't know if my chickens could tell if there water was "stale" or not lol Same thing goes for my dogs...they prefer the toilet bowl if I let them

 

[Katy]

I know stale is a relative term and different between we humans and animals/fowl, but I can make a pretty safe bet that water that's been setting in a water container for several days isn't fresh.......especially in warm temperatures.

 

[Nicole01]

Maybe you can hire or find a pet sitter. Perhaps a neighbor can look after your chickens.

We clean water bowls out daily for the dog, cats, and chickens. Although, I've never had the chickens poop in the feeder or the waterer once they moved out to the coop. Good luck. I personally wouldn't leave them alone for a long period of time. It doesn't take much for something to go wrong.

 

[Patricia Jane]

Quote:
x2 and collecting the eggs and feeding them.