Where do I put the waterer?

[TubbyChicken]

I have two coops...they are linked by a run. The chicks are in one and I have two hens in the other...

I am using the large, metal waterers for both but the hens seem to kick up and move around the bedding a great deal. The waterer is getting lost in shavings and spilling when they unearth a section of shavings. I've filled it up multiple times today, their coop is going to get nasty and I'm worried about them not having access to it when they fill it with shavings. Where should I put it?

 

[sunnydee]

I have my large water on a big cement block so the shavings dont get in it. I also check daily to make sure the shavings around it are not wet...and if they are I take them out so no mold will produce.

 

[Teresaann24]

I have sand in my runs so I put the waterer in the frount of the cage where there is nothing near also place it on to a peice of ply wood I cut just for the waterer. It stays clean!

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Mine have access to the run all summer - I leave their door open so they can go out. I put the waterer on a concrete slab and keep it in the run in the summer.

In the winter, I use hanging waterers inside - much less messy - but never totally clean, they still throw stuff into it.

You could just try putting the hen's waterer up higher - on a piece of wood or concrete. They can get to it still as long as it is about the height of their shoulders.

Peace -
Meriah

 

[Momo]

I have my main waterer in the run and a large size gerbil-type waterer (the kind that hangs on the cage and has a metal tube with a ball in it that they drink from) in the coop. I love it - the water stays nice and clean, the bedding stays dry and the chickens can have a drink of water if they're up and about before I open the pop door to the run. They like the ball waterer so much that I also hung a couple of them on the fence in the run.

 

[mistylady]

Momo, that is so neat! Did you start them on the bottle type waterer when they were little? I'd love to get mine to drink from one!

 

[TubbyChicken]

That's a great idea! I wonder if I'd have to teach them to drink from that type of waterer...

 

[Momo]

Actually they were pretty much grown when I added the ball waterer. I just hung one in their run and - being chickens - it wasn't long before they'd all pecked at it and discovered it dispensed water. I do still keep another waterer out in the run, just to make sure they don't lack for water. I sure love the fact that it stays clean and dry in the house, and it takes up very little room in there. I just hammered a couple of small u-nails (fence staples) into the wall and hung the hooks of the bottle holder onto them. Easy peasy. I can't take credit for it, though - I got the idea from this forum (sorry, can't remember who posted about it).