The bowl's larger diameter allows more chickens to fit around at the same time (why does one thirsty bird make all the others think they need a drink too?) and it holds more water so they can get their fill. However, when I clean out the wood chips and other debris, there is more water I have to dump out. Good thing I have it connected to a 18 gallon bucket. The bowl cover sold to keep debris out, doesn't have the same diameter as the giant sized bowl so it only works well as an anti-roost device with this size bowl.