Do Chickens Like to Get Into Water?

[schristopher]

I have a container that is low to the ground for my chicken to drink from.

I have never seen her do it, but it looks like she may actually get into the container from time to time. I say that because there is constantly a lot of dirt and sand in the bottom of the container, and it's not in a place where the dirt and sand can blow into it. I put fresh water in it every 1 to 2 days.

If she has been getting into it, I'm considering buying one of the really shallow baby pools and put it in the yard to her to get into.

How does that idea sound to some of you more experienced chicken owners?

Thanks for any information you can give!!!

 

[DobieLover]

I have a container that is low to the ground for my chicken to drink from.

I have never seen her do it, but it looks like she may actually get into the container from time to time. I say that because there is constantly a lot of dirt and sand in the bottom of the container, and it's not in a place where the dirt and sand can blow into it. I put fresh water in it every 1 to 2 days.

If she has been getting into it, I'm considering buying one of the really shallow baby pools and put it in the yard to her to get into.

How does that idea sound to some of you more experienced chicken owners?

Thanks for any information you can give!!!

You are in SC so I assume it's hot. She is likely trying to cool down. Giving her a shallow baby pool to help her keep cool is a great idea.
When it gets really hot, you can put a large block of ice in the pool to slowing melt. I use cereal containers that I fill about 5/6 full with water and freeze then run hot water over the outside to pop the ice chunk out then put it in a plastic tote for my chickens.

ETA: To clarify, I didn't mean to imply that the baby pool should actually be filled with water. I meant that if it's very hot, all you put in the pool is the large block of ice to slowly melt. That gives the chickens something to walk on and in and sip the water as it melts. It would be very shallow. Just enough to wet their feet. I will take a picture of my set up when I drag it back out this summer.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

My chickens like to dip their feet in the water pan. In the summer we'll see them happily walking around in the run water pan. I don't think I'd give them a pool...but who knows. I'd only do it supervised and I'd never leave it unattended so they don't get stuck in it.

 

[Shadrach]

I have a container that is low to the ground for my chicken to drink from.

I have never seen her do it, but it looks like she may actually get into the container from time to time. I say that because there is constantly a lot of dirt and sand in the bottom of the container, and it's not in a place where the dirt and sand can blow into it. I put fresh water in it every 1 to 2 days.

If she has been getting into it, I'm considering buying one of the really shallow baby pools and put it in the yard to her to get into.

How does that idea sound to some of you more experienced chicken owners?

Thanks for any information you can give!!!

Not a good idea.
Chickens can't swim. Their feathers are not waterproof in the same way as say a ducks are. Chickens can drown in a surprisingly shallow depth. Once a chickens feathers are soaked they are slow and practically defenseless.
A very shallow foot bath, an inch or so of cold water is fine. Much more than that is dangerous.

 

[Grace11]

I put a mister and a fan on my gals when it gets really hot here. sometimes theres small puddles from the mister and they will stand in them. I also use black sun screening from hardware store-black is best for significant temp alleviation.

 

[Ra_]

My birds love their wading container. It's 5 or 6 inches deep but they are very big hens.
I've got a lot of birds now so I recently mounted a sprinkler that I set for fine spray above a palm bush that they like to sit under.
We have been in the 90s for weeks and even went over 100 degrees and the birds love the mist.

 

[Cynthia12]

Keep it shallow as suggested. . while you aren't there.

 

[Ebony Rose]

My waterer is a big 10 gallon rubbermaid tote. When it gets really hot, I float a big block or two of ice in it. I make the blocks of ice with those dollar store plastic shoeboxes that they sell with lids (so that they stack nicely in the freezer). I've not caught my chickens wading in their water, but I frequently find them huddled up next to the tote when it's got ice in it... chickens all around it, enjoying the cooler temperatures

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Keep it shallow as suggested. . while you aren't there. View attachment 1801262 View attachment 1801263

That's hilarious!

 

[Ginmary]

I hope they don't poop while in the pool!!