What's Wrong With My Waterer?!

[Laurajean]

Last night when I went to bed the chick waterer was full. I woke up today and it was empty! I was shocked, but the chicks are growing fast so I thought maybe they are just REALLY thirsty. Then today I ran a few errands and came home and it was completely empty again! I felt the bedding around it and sure enough, it was wet. I changed out all the bedding, and checked the waterer thoroughly. No signs of it being screwed on crooked, etc.

What could be wrong? I can't figure out why it is leaking or how! It's your typical plastic chick waterer, with a red plastic base that screws into the plastic bottle. Right now I put it in a pie plate lined with paper towels so if it happens again the water will be contained, but does anyone know why this is happening or what I should do?

 

[debilorrah]

It is more that likely NOT leaking. Chicks are messy. They fling water and food all over the place. And to top if off I have duck in my brooder - MESSY!

 

[Germaine_11.20]

If they are not level or close to level, the water leaks out one side and keeps leaking until it is gone. When you put it in there for them take a close look at all sides and angles to see if one side is low and one overflowing. It doesn't have to be a big overflow to leak all out.

 

[rancher hicks]

I'd have to see the waterer. None of my chicks are that messy to spill all the water. Some times if the waterer is off kilter the water runs over the side. You could take the waterer fill it, set it on a dry paper towel and watch it to see if water is leaking or running.

 

[tammyd57]

Any bedding the chicks fling into the water will empty the waterer also. One piece of bedding in the water and hanging over the edge will wick all of the water right into the nice clean dry bedding you just put in....

 

[Germaine_11.20]

LOL beat ya to it!

 

[StormyMoon]

I use 2 bricks side by side to put the waterer on and rub it back and forth to make sure its flat and no bedding is under it to make it uneven.

My chicks liked flicking shavings in their water and licked to step up on the edges and tip it slightly which makes more water come out.
Putting it up on a brick put it at eye level for them so they just put their beaks over to it instead of wanting to hang on to it with their feet.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Yep level and elevated

 

[chicken_china_mom]

I agree with everything everyone said, but also make sure there are no cracks in the jar attached to the waterer. A crack will allow too much air in and feed the water through faster. Check also around the thread of the jar to make sure there are no cracks or knicks there or in the actual waterer. Something you normally wouldn't notice. I know my chicks like to push and shove one another, and sometimes someone will fall into the waterer and bunch will spill. Mine are 5 weeks now and apparently wrestling is their new hobby.

 

[rancher hicks]

Is this gonna be another one of those posts where we never find out what was really wrong? I sometimes don't answer these posts cuz the OP never up dates. So OP "what was wrong with you waterer?"