Hi, i was wondering how you know if the chicks are getting enough water? our chicks are about a month old and took to the nipple right away, but they seem to be pecking the side of it more than the bottom. i was wondering how you can tell if they are getting enough water. thanks.
Comment by
gretchen
— at lunch time on Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
This is a frequent concern of chicken owners who have just switched over to our waterers. It's natural to think your chickens are drinking less with our waterer because nearly no water is spilled. In reality, an adult hen drinks less than half a cup on a cool day. A chick drinks less, with the amount depending on its size.
We've never heard of chickens who weren't getting enough water from the Avian Aqua Miser, as long as they've learned to drink (which it sounds like yours have). We've raised hundreds of chicks on our waterer over the last few years, and have had no problems.
I hope that sets your mind at ease.
Comment by
anna
— Monday evening, April 30th, 2012
We got 2 hens from a neighbor who has 30 chickens.....it has been one week on sunday....12 days exactly and they only laid 1 egg the first nite and nothing since then.....we do have a large dog and a cat which seemed to bother them....we are letting them out about 8am and put them to bed in their coop around 8pm....why arent they laying eggs....
Rita --- It's actually quite common for chickens to stop laying for a while after being moved around. It's pretty traumatic for them to end up in a new home, and that prompts them to stop laying until they feel really settled in. Just give them a few weeks and they should be making eggs again.
Comment by
anna
— terribly early Friday morning, June 1st, 2012
Phil --- Yes, we like to start our chicks on our waterer as soon as they hatch. (If they're coming out of the incubator, though, instead of through the mail, they probably will spend most of the first 24 hours just sleeping where it's warm, so don't worry if they don't eat or drink until day two.)
Chicks are extremely easy to teach since they don't know anything else. Just hang the waterer so the nipple is right at eye level and will be bumped into and they'll learn by themselves in no time. No need to dip their beaks or anything as books recommend.
Comment by
anna
— Sunday evening, August 19th, 2012
This is a frequent concern of chicken owners who have just switched over to our waterers. It's natural to think your chickens are drinking less with our waterer because nearly no water is spilled. In reality, an adult hen drinks less than half a cup on a cool day. A chick drinks less, with the amount depending on its size.
We've never heard of chickens who weren't getting enough water from the Avian Aqua Miser, as long as they've learned to drink (which it sounds like yours have). We've raised hundreds of chicks on our waterer over the last few years, and have had no problems.
I hope that sets your mind at ease.
Phil --- Yes, we like to start our chicks on our waterer as soon as they hatch. (If they're coming out of the incubator, though, instead of through the mail, they probably will spend most of the first 24 hours just sleeping where it's warm, so don't worry if they don't eat or drink until day two.)
Chicks are extremely easy to teach since they don't know anything else. Just hang the waterer so the nipple is right at eye level and will be bumped into and they'll learn by themselves in no time. No need to dip their beaks or anything as books recommend.