Containers you use for chicks

ABW · **Joined:** Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:14 am **Posts:** 6

Can I ask what type of containers you use for chicks when in the brooder and then out in the coop I have had 2 drown in 3 days but if I give them a shallow dish they run out of water while I am at works so trying to find a medium

Karen_H · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:43 am

I have heard of using ice cube trays...haven't tried it myself (as haven't had any chicks) but it makes sense to me. I guess it depends how many chicks you have to how many you would need.

OakA · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:41 am

If the dish you are providing allows them to drown it is too deep.
If the shallow one does not last the day you need a water fountain.
You can buy these at any pet store OR make one for yourself.
I use a shallow dish that gives them no more than a half inch of water but big enough to allow me to stand a drink bottle to one end.The drink bottle has a hole drilled low down at the level you want the water, as they drink the water level drops and allows a bubble of air in and a like amount of water to flow into the dish.
Depending on the number in the pen/brooder you select a bottle suitable to your needs, I use a 2 ltr bottle and replace it night and morning.
It is a simple thing to fill, clear so you can see the level of water remaining, just put your finger over the hole , unscrew the cap to fill when necessary.
Cheap, simple and EFFECTIVE !!!

ABW · **Joined:** Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:14 am **Posts:** 6

I found this one http://www.bellsouth.com.au/drinkers.html is that the same as yours oaklands great idea thanks for steering me in the right direction

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 3:31 pm

We use this small waterer(left) and feeder(right) from the local stockfeed for our newly hatched chicks.

OakA · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 4:58 pm

I have collected a variety of drinkers and feeders over the years the same and similar to those depicted here and on the Bellsouth link.
All involve one thing in common, you have to purchase all or part .
What I suggested makes use of what you have to hand.
The basic requirement is to have available a sufficient continuos supply of water delivered as required in your absence.
The pic on the left posted by H & H uses the same principle I have suggested.
You can just see the hole in the container at the bottom.
I use a drink bottle standing in its normal position with the hole drilled at the botton, similar to the commercial drinker, at the required level you want the water.
As a water dish to stand it in you can use a take away food container, supermarket meat tray,any old cake tin or similar shallow container, even a cut down ice cream container.
Limited only by your own imagination or what is available.

Ben n Deb · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:22 pm

Just a thing to note, I have used the small water feeder pictured from Hens & Hobbits, and have come back later in the day to find that they have tipped it over

!

Make sure that your problem is not them using it up, but one of them standing on the side of it, and tipping it, or if you have straw/sawdust, that they don't scratch it all into the water, and then they cannot get the water anyway [smilie=a_doh.gif]

.

wickedwings · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:55 pm

It is a pain in the neck when they scratch dirt or sawdust into it, I've ended up suspending most of mine as soon as the chicks get big enough to reach it and I keep raising it every week until they don't fill it much with rubbish. The worst is when the hen starts scratching and the chicks are still too small to reach a raised dispenser.

johs · **Posted:** Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:42 pm

I use the ones Hens and Hobbits showed. I put them on bricks so they are higher than the bedding and they don't kick stuff into them. Tipping over hasn't been a problem unless I'm a bad chicken mum and don't fill them up when they get low. Depending on the number of chicks possibly daily.

wickedwings · **Posted:** Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:39 pm

Bad chicken mum. Bad!

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