Wet floors in coop

[Tennessee Denise]

So, I'm a Tennessee new chick owner and I have 6 eight week old chicks. They seem to be very messy with the water and the floor near the waterer is always wet. I regularly put down D earth and fresh pine shavings, but should I be scooping that really wet stuff out and allowing the floor to completely dry? Will the dampness cause any health issues? Thanks in advance!

 

[Steven Bussell]

Damp under ventilation is bad. Can you post a picture of your water.
It's my ducklings that makes a mess with the water. I started using a cookie sheet under my waterer. Now that they are older they waste 5 gallons a day.
Luckily they well be allowed to go outside in their run next week .
Just one more week of bailing out water and bedding

 

[TomZilla43]

Hiya Denise, . So glad you could join us, chicks are going to be messy with water and feed if it's a set-up that allows for it. One possible solution to help control the wet issues that you're dealing with currently is to switch them to a nipple waterer(I use and really like the Horizontal nipple waterers), it allows them access to the water they need w/o them being able to slosh it all over or contaminate the water w/ shavings, poop, etc. You can search the forums here and see some of the systems different folks have designed and used to give you ideas if you're interested. I use a bucket w/ the nipples mounted on the side, super simple. Hope you find a suitable solution, and again Welcome!

 

[Steven Bussell]

Hiya Denise, . So glad you could join us, chicks are going to be messy with water and feed if it's a set-up that allows for it. One possible solution to help control the wet issues that you're dealing with currently is to switch them to a nipple waterer(I use and really like the Horizontal nipple waterers), it allows them access to the water they need w/o them being able to slosh it all over or contaminate the water w/ shavings, poop, etc. You can search the forums here and see some of the systems different folks have designed and used to give you ideas if you're interested. I use a bucket w/ the nipples mounted on the side, super simple. Hope you find a suitable solution, and again Welcome!

I have made a waterer using both nipples and cups in the run.
Yesterday was thier first time outside. Both chicks and ducklings used the nipples and the ducklings used the cups as well.

 

[Chef JimmyJ]

We brood in the family room. Started with a Quart waterer, but switched to a Gallon Gravity Water hung from the cover as soon as they could reach it, about 2 weeks. NO MORE MESS. They can reach and drink but can't play in it or kick shavings in...JJ

 

[blackdog043]

If it's a regular waterer, raise it to the back height of the chicks, this should help. No it's not good to have the bedding wet.

I like to use horizontal nipples, starting at two weeks. You can make your own waterer, with a lot of different containers. The nipples can be found on Amazon.

Introducing the brooder nipple waterer

5 gallon heated bucket waterer

 

[Tennessee Denise]

Damp under ventilation is bad. Can you post a picture of your water.
It's my ducklings that makes a mess with the water. I started using a cookie sheet under my waterer. Now that they are older they waste 5 gallons a day.
Luckily they well be allowed to go outside in their run next week .
Just one more week of bailing out water and bedding

Well, I already have the waterer on a tray that I empty several times a day. Just wondereding if the dampness in the bedding is a problem. I'll be glad when my run is complete (hopefully next week) and they can be outside.

 

[Tennessee Denise]

If it's a regular waterer, raise it to the back height of the chicks, this should help. No it's not good to have the bedding wet.

I like to use horizontal nipples, starting at two weeks. You can make your own waterer, with a lot of different containers. The nipples can be found on Amazon.

Introducing the brooder nipple waterer
View attachment 1837862
5 gallon heated bucket waterer
View attachment 1837874

Guess I'll try hanging mine as even though it's sitting on a cement block, guess they are getting into it!! Thanks for the reply.

 

[Tennessee Denise]

Hiya Denise, . So glad you could join us, chicks are going to be messy with water and feed if it's a set-up that allows for it. One possible solution to help control the wet issues that you're dealing with currently is to switch them to a nipple waterer(I use and really like the Horizontal nipple waterers), it allows them access to the water they need w/o them being able to slosh it all over or contaminate the water w/ shavings, poop, etc. You can search the forums here and see some of the systems different folks have designed and used to give you ideas if you're interested. I use a bucket w/ the nipples mounted on the side, super simple. Hope you find a suitable solution, and again Welcome!

Thanks for the reply, I may try the nipple waterers.