Ensuring chickens have an adequate water supply is paramount for both their health and for egg production. Chickens typically require around 0.5l or 2 cups of water per day. Their daily water needs will vary depending on factors such as weather, age, and laying status.
We delve into the types of waterers available, their pros and cons, the necessity of proper cleaning, signs of dehydration, and frequently asked questions to guide poultry keepers in maintaining a vital aspect of chicken care.
Why is water important for chickens?
There are two principal reasons:
- Just like humans or any other animal, water is essential for their overall health and well-being as it helps regulate body temperature, aids in digestion, and facilitates the transportation of nutrients throughout their bodies.
- Water is necessary for the production of eggs, as a significant portion of an egg’s composition is water.
How much water do chickens need?
On average chickens need between 1 and 2 cups (0.25l to 0.5l) of water per day.
Bantams will be at the lower end (1 cup per day), layers in the middle (2 cups per day) and meat birds at the top end (more than 2 cups per day).
Other factors that will influence how much water chickens need include:
- Outside temperature: chickens will drink 2 to 4 times as much as normal in very hot weather.
- Age: older chickens drink more water
- If they’re laying: layers drink twice as much as non-layers.
What Types of Waterers are there and which is best?
There are 3 main types of waterers. The choice you make should be the one that is easy to clean and easy to fill.
- Bowl type
Any type of plastic bowl. Dog bowls can be very good. Rubbery plastic is more hard wearing, rather than the harder more brittle plastics which get sun and frost damage leading to cracking and breaks.
Pros:
- Very easy to clean
- Very easy to fill
- It is possible to get ones with an electric plug in heater to prevent freezing in winter (useful if you have an electricity supply to your coop)
Cons:
- Chickens walk through these
- Get dirty quickly
- Need to be cleaned every day
- Need to be filled every day
- They can be too deep for chicks – they could fall in and drown. So use a very shallow dish, or put stones in the base if using for chicks.
- Freeze easily in the winter – and can crack
In my experience using a bowl is great to get you going in the beginning, and useful to have if another watering system breaks. But personally I found the constant mess in the bowl frustrating. And the chickens would kick it over so much in the summer that I needed to refill more than once each day.
However in very cold periods (of which we don’t have many), a bowl of warmed water has proved to be the best solution to keep the chickens watered.
- Bell Waterer
These are widely available in farm shops and online. Can be made of plastic or galvanized steel. Can also be constructed DIY from any type of vessel connected to a plate.
Pros
- Easy to fill
- Easy to clean
- Can be connected to a hose for continuous water supply with a float
- Can be hung, or placed on a raised platform to keep them off the ground and away from chicken feet!
Cons
- Very easily freeze in the winter because of the small volume of water in the drinking rim.
- Plastic can crack – galvanized steel are more durable
- Chickens still manage to get these dirty if left on the ground
This is my preferred solution for a small flock of chickens. With a 2 gallon waterer the chickens can be left overnight safe in the knowledge that they will have enough water.
- Nipple waterers
These are widely available in farm shops and online. Can also be constructed DIY from any type of vessel connected to a plate.
Pros
- Stay clean, chickens cannot kick dirt into the nipples
- Can be connected to a hose connected to the mains or a water butt for continuous water supply
- Don’t require regular cleaning and filling
- Great system for a larger flock
Cons
- Thinner pipes freeze easily in winter
- More expensive
- Take more time and thought to set up
With a small flock of chickens, we don’t need to add the complexity of a nipple system. As our flock grows and our needs change then we will use a nipple system.
A variation on the nipple is a cup waterer. In my experience these are very difficult to clean and quickly grow algae in all of the crevices.
How many waterers do you need?
It is important to have enough that all the birds can access water and that the dominant bird can’t push the little ones out of the way to the extent that they are unable to drink.
Here are some strategies to work this out:
- Observe your flock to make sure that what you have is enough.
- Provide more than you think they will need and keep an eye on which waterers they use or don’t use. Remove what is not used.
- Keep an eye on the weather, when it is hot provide additional waterers as their drinking habits will change.
Providing at least 2 waterers for a small flock means that there is always a backup in case one gets knocked over.
Where should the waterers be?
The waterer should be in a spot that is accessible for all the chickens. Located close to their food supply allows the chicken easy access to water.
How to clean the waterer?
For bowls and bell waterers I rinse and scrub with some grass every day when I refill the water.
Every week I do a deeper clean, scrub with soap and water.
Signs that chickens are not getting enough water
Some signs that chickens are not getting enough water include:
- Lethargy or listlessness
- Pale wattle or comb
- Panting (excessively)
- Changes to egg production and quality
Always observe your flock on a regular basis so that you can look out for changes in the chickens normal behaviour and address the issue before it becomes serious.
FAQ
How many waterers do you need?
You need to provide enough water for your flock for a day. Use 2 cups or 0.5l of water per bird per day. And provide water stations that are accessible to all birds, plus an additional station in case one gets knocked over so that birds always have access to clean water.
Tap water vs rain water?
Chickens can drink either. But if using rainwater make sure that it is stored in a water butt or container that is covered.
Chickens will drink from puddles and ponds.
Additions to the water?
If you decide to add nutrients to the water, this can affect the colour, odour and taste of the water which may put the chickens off drinking the water. If you do this, keep a close eye on the chickens to make sure that they are still drinking at their normal rate.
Can chickens use a bowl or a bucket?
Yes, just make sure that the chickens can access the water. A bucket may be too high for them to reach. When using a bowl for chicks make sure that they cannot fall in and drown.
Should you put a waterer in the coop?
There is no need to put a waterer in the coop if the chickens are able to freely come out and access the water outside of their coop. This is the usual set up for most back garden chickens. Chickens do not drink whilst they are sleeping.
If the chickens are confined in the coop for long periods of the day, then water should be provided inside the coop.
How do the chickens actually drink water?
Chickens fill their beaks with water. Then they lift their heads to allow the water to be swallowed down their throats.
How much water will 10 chickens drink in a day?
Assuming that each chicken drinks 0.5l or 2 cups per day. 10 chickens will drink around 5l per day.
Conclusion
The significance of water in the care of chickens cannot be overstated, as it plays a dual role in maintaining their health and supporting egg production. Recognizing the nuanced factors affecting water requirements, from environmental conditions to the age and laying status of the flock, equips poultry keepers with the knowledge needed to ensure their chickens receive optimal hydration.
What waterer works best for you? What is your experience with watering your chickens? I would love to hear in the comments below.