Chicken Water Requirements and Waterers
Water and waterers
Fresh water is critical and must be available at all times, It is the most important nutrient consumed by birds. Because birds can fly, they do not have the capability to store much water in their bodies. Many birds will die after 24 hours without water. Without adequate water, birds will cease eating and will decrease or cease egg production and animal growth.
How much water do birds need?
As a general guideline, 1 gallon of water will provide enough daily water for 12 to 15 full-sized breed adult chickens during cool weather and 6 to 12 during hot weather. It is best to always offer a redundant waster supply in case the primary goes dry from breakage, spillage or leakage.
There are two basic styles of chicken waters in addition to using simple solutions like dog waterers and buckets which are not recommended because birds do occasionally fall in and drown. However, a shallow bird bath provided during the summer months is often appreciated. For larger flocks, the automatic waterers are a much easier way to go. For chicks, you'll want a small fountain waterer.
Fountain-type waterers (Figure 1)
When planning for your chickens' requirements with this type of waterer, consider that in cool weather each adult chicken will consume about 0.05 to 0.08 gallon per day; in hot weather, about 0.08 to 0.16 gallon. For very young birds, it is advisable to put marbles or small stones in the bottom to prevent chicks from drowning.
Galvanized steel waterers are not recommended as they rust, are difficult to clean and animals seem to avoid them if the are provided with an alternative. Nitrate positioning has been reported in some animals that have been drinking from them.
Continuous flow troughs (figure 2)
These waterers are connected to a pressurized water line. For best results install the waterer bowls in:
- Shady locations to minimize algae growth
- Away from where debris, such as leaves, will collect
- Away from the birds' high traffic patterns as they will sometimes bump into the waterers and dislodge the pins which impedes operation and/or injure themselves.