[CoopersCoop]

Hello Everyone on this beautiful day.

I have a little pond in my garden and whilst my chickens have never really ventured too close to it, they have realised that it is a source of water. Whenever I see them going near for a drink I shoo them off or put them back in the hen house, to try and give them the message of the pond is a 'no-go'. I'm particularly worried that I read somewhere that algae is toxic to chickens, and I really don't want my lovely ladies getting poorly from drinking pond water.

Has anyone experienced any bad effects from Hens drinking pond water? Does anyone know of a good way to deter them further, I'm thinking a low fence of some description.

Thank you

[Sue33]

Hi CC, well my four girls regularly drink from our pond and they're all ok, just make sure they can't fall in 

[nerdle]

Mine drinks from a low level bird bath - it gets a bit green now and then.....  she doesn't seem to mind. 

I'm hoping we can trust chickens to select what suits them - they will surely have some instinct about that.....?

[CoopersCoop]

Thanks Ladies, that has put my mind at ease.

Happy Chicken keeping!

[themagicaltoad1]

Mine will choose a muddy puddle over fresh water any day. The problem with your pond is the risk of them falling in and not being able to get out. They can't swim and will drown if they can't get a purchase on anything to pull themselves back out.

[CoopersCoop]

Yes, I certainly don't want them falling in. I'm currently investigating a fencing system to ward them away from the waters edge, so soon enough all will be well.

Thanks again