Today I looked for a suitable plastic tray for the girls to have water and peas in. I found that a cat litter tray was too small and too deep, washing up bowls the same, but then I found a shallow storage box which I thought might work. I thought that if I used the lid by the side of the box, I could increase the area which would encourage the girls to step in the water and cool their feet.
It didn’t work as the lid was too shallow and if not level, the water ran out and left the heap of frozen peas exposed. This meant the girls could just pick the peas up without any water. I abandoned this idea and poured the contents into the main part of the storage box.
The box was higher sided than the metal tray and the girls couldn’t pluck up the courage to step into it. Honey perched on the side but wouldn’t step into the water.
The lid is too shallow
The water has disappeared leaving the frozen peas exposed
I tipped the contents of the lid into the main box
They reach for the peas but don’t attempt to step in.
Honey perches on the side
She stretches out towards the peas
Honey gives up
My next idea is to dig the tray into the ground to make it easier for the girls to step into. As it’s going to stay hot for a while I intend to leave it there with water in for them to paddle in at any time or drink from, then add frozen peas or sweetcorn in the afternoons as a treat. Even some of the simplest ideas are an ongoing project!
Click here to see the history of my flock.