Single hen

[chickinboy]

Hi all, sorry if this post is in the wrong place...couldn't work out where was best.

 

I've got a standard galvanised water drinker, but my run has got a thick layer of wood chip, to keep it clean, and even though there's plenty of clean water left at the end of the day, the bottom of the drinker where the water comes out, is completely blocked with the bark and general bits of ground that my ladies kick about. It means that I've got a drinker that I should be able to leave for a couple of days at least, but within hours it's a complete mess, which would make it difficult if we wanted to go away over night.

 

Does anyone have any advice on this random subject? I've put a second drinker in, but the same happens to that. They really do love to kick stuff about, and I don't want to just keep them on mud once the grass has worn away. Can I raise it off the ground, perhaps on a log or a couple of bricks? I presume they'll hop up, making it a sort of drinking platform?!

 

Cheers!

[ali-s]

I've got a stand which I use for lifting feeders or drinkers off the ground a little.

 

Like this one.... http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Stand_for_Drinkers_and_Feeders.html

 

It took a few days until my Chickens would go near the stand but they used it in the end and the feeder was clear of flying woodchips Of course the stand did get pooped on but a quick blast with the hosepipe soon got it clean.

 

Hope this helps

[Egluntyne]

Mine are propped up on large flat stones which are about 3" deep.

 

It seems to help, there is often a bit of Aubiose in the rim, but not enough to render the drinkers useless.