As the temp starts to really climb, I thought I would share a chicken-keeping trick that really helped last year. Chickens don't like to drink hot water any more than we do. The water in the automatic waterer gets too hot when it just sits there, especially if the hose runs through too much sun. Solution: use one of those 40+ gallon ice chests that have a drain in the bottom. Get some clear plastic hose at home depot, if I remember right the 5/8 inch diameter was the right size. Get 2 little circular clamps that tighent with a screw. Clamp the hose to the cooler drain, and to the waterer. Make sure you set it up all in the shade, and put the cooler on a stable place at least 2 feet above the water. A pair of saw horses will do, or I put mine up on the roof of the coop. I just used a hose to fill the cooler, it kept the water no more than tepid, down in the waterer. Keep the lid closed even though it sweats a little inside. Once every week or two, empty the cooler, throw a cap of bleach in a gallon of water and swish it around good, pour it out and rinse again, then refill. That keeps the water fresh enough. oh, you might want to put something on top of the cooler to keep them from roosting there, or you'll be "swabbing the decks" before you can touch it to clean and refill it. They like to roost on the cooler unless you protect it. Good luck with the heat.
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This is our first summer with chickens. We have 4 of the gallon size plastic waterers. They sit up high to keep them clean. I have been using big soda cups, (like from the gas station), and freezing water in them. When it comes time to fill the water, I pop out the icebegs and carry them out there in a bag, so I can refill the cups and put them back in the freezer right away. They melt pretty slowly (at least now)... May have to upgrade our system when the temps rise more. Thanks for the idea here! Would love to hear what others are doing about this :)
My only thought was that apple cider vinegar might be a good idea to keep the cooler from getting too funky, and from having to use bleach.
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My only thought was that apple cider vinegar might be a good idea to keep the cooler from getting too funky, and from having to use bleach.
BOK BOK!