Smallholders Insurance from Greenlands

Author Topic: Stupid question... when to give kids water  (Read 1681 times)

Bluff

  • Joined Apr 2016
  • Shropshire / N Wales Border
Stupid question... when to give kids water
« on: April 04, 2017, 07:51:32 pm »
I am sure this is a stupid question but I can't find the answer anywhere.
At what age do I need to make water available to the kids? The waterfor our does is high enough up for them not to poop in it meaning the kids can't reach. Thank you

pharnorth

  • Joined Nov 2013
  • Cambridgeshire
Re: Stupid question... when to give kids water
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2017, 08:01:31 pm »
I would have some in reach from even a couple of weeks old. They may just be tasting rather than drinking it but they do put their noses to it occasionally. And if not then, when?

Anke

  • Joined Dec 2009
  • St Boswells, Scottish Borders
Re: Stupid question... when to give kids water
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2017, 08:05:38 pm »
I don't put in water very early. My goat kids are on 4 x 500ml milk until three months old, so I will normally start to put in a bucket a couple of weeks before the milk fees are reduced to 3 x 500ml. By that time they are old enough not to mess around with it too much and danger of drowning is less. Just the way it works for me.

PS.: My kids are inside until 12 weeks as well.

Bluff

  • Joined Apr 2016
  • Shropshire / N Wales Border
Re: Stupid question... when to give kids water
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2017, 08:15:04 pm »
Thank you. It's the fear of drowning that stops me putting it out for them earlier.
Don't feel quite so daft now  :D

Talana

  • Joined Mar 2014
Re: Stupid question... when to give kids water
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2017, 08:55:19 pm »
I give mine access to water quite early, from week old.I use small clip on plastic poultry dish which clips on to side of large dog crate which I use for young kids next to mothers pen, and hay between crate and shed wall also same clip on dish with creep. Now at a month old kids have own pen and bucket of water, hayrack plastic tub nailed to wall to hold creep, bucket of chaff to pick at.

Penninehillbilly

  • Joined Sep 2011
  • West Yorks
Re: Stupid question... when to give kids water
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2017, 09:38:37 pm »
Thank you. It's the fear of drowning that stops me putting it out for them earlier.
Don't feel quite so daft now  :D
I think it's only at birth or when they are finding their feet there would be a risk of drowning. But useful to know when others offer water, i leave kids on their mums, and some of the buckets are a bit high, but I'll let them out with mums when weather is nice, and I'll take note if they are playing with the tub outside.

 

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