Chickens Need Water- How Much?

Chickens Need Water - How Much?

In the hot summer months especially, but all year long it is important to make sure your chickens have access to clean, cool and fresh drinking water. A simple chicken coop can easily accomodate an indoor and outdoor waterer.

Chickens are able to distinguish tastes, so having fresh water free from heavy minerals, medications, and alge or dirt is important to keep them drinking and hydrated. In the hot summer months, it is especially important to not only provide enought water, but to maintain the water so it is palatable to the hens. Hens won't drink overly hot water, they prefer cool water. Make sure you keep water in the shade, or use an automatic watering system that offers cooler water.

Without enough water, chickens become stressed. This will lower egg production and stunt the growth of young chicks. Dehydration can cause chickens to stop eating and even cause death. Chickens can also go into a molt, a condition where their egg production stops.

Chickens need to be able to drink water all day and also have access to water inside the simple chicken coop overnight. For outdoor chicken runs, keep water in the shade so it stays cooler, which chickens prefer. Use a heavy bottom galvanized water pan if you have just a couple chickens so it doesn't tip over.

For larger chicken runs and coops, the best options for water are automatic watering systems. These include automatic trough waterers, automatice water bowls , or low pressure expandable water systems. For a more basic water source use a waterer like a 5 gallon Dura Fount, which is a plastic water drum set in a tray.

Keep founts, water troughs or pans and water bowls on level ground so they don't leak and waste water. Make sure freestanding water bowls are heavy so perching chickens won't tip them over.

When chickens spend time inside the chicken coop during the day, keep water accessable. A great water solution is a two gallon galvanized waterer. You can attach a chain to it and hang it just above the ground for easy access, but on a chain it can be hooked up and out of the way overnight. Make sure it hangs level so there are no spills overnight.

When you are building a chicken coop, keep in mind you may need a water option both inside the coop and outside in the chicken run. There are options for both which are easy to install and allow your chickens free access to drinking water. Check out the water supply each day to make sure it is clean and safe. Your chickens will benefit and reward you with high egg production and good health.