How do you water your chickens?

[Stayc]

Im in new Zealand and dont get too cold only mild frosts

My step dad uses 30 gallon but this is pretty much the set-up

 

[Boonie Stomper]

I use a small repurposed Christmas tree watering stand with a hose stuck into the tree hole. I put the hose on trickle when the birds have to stay cooped for multiple days. Otherwise can just turn water on and off to fill as needed or on high pressure to flush it out.

In winter water is off to protect pipe and the old repurposed thin metal pots are in service. I regularly put tap water into repurposed 1 or 2 liter plastic bottles for me, my plants and the chooks. When there's solid ice in pot I take it out of the coop and turn it over. A dribble of room temperature water on the bottom expands the metal and releases the ice. Then refill and return to coop.
Funny though, given the chance the chooks go for the water in the saucers under my plant pots or any funky standing rainwater or even a pan containing a fermented watermelon from 2 months ago

 

[blackdog043]

5 gallon bucket with a gamma lid and use horizontal nipples if you can get them over there.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Yep such a personalized and localized question. If you never freeze I would use a float valve waterer(it needs maybe monthly maintaining).

If you freeze you need to consider other options. I do not place mine in the coop as I do not freeze here often(possibly 1 day per year) and the auto-water system handles that just fine and I leave it in the run.

I do use a 5L Solingen steel cook pot(welded handles fell off it) out front that is their main forage water and refill it every 3-5 days or whenever it looks grungy.

The reason they like the front the most is that is where the most cover on my property is and they can come tell me they need more feed or scratch or whatever it is they want. They are very demanding for such a small flock as I keep. It all depends on the weather forcast they know when it will be a cold night and tell me to toss cracked corn at 5PM so they have full gullets before bed. Yes I know they are training me but thankfully they tell me what they need if I just listen.

 

[Nksg75]

We use the game bird waterer, we also have 3 bck up waterers for Backup only.
I have been eLly pleased with it so far.

 

[ben0125]

Im in new Zealand and dont get too cold only mild frosts

NZ!

 

[chickenmeadow]

I use heavy duty black plastic bowls, I think they were horse grain bowls that do not tip over easily. I broom them out to clean every few days, to refill with 2 gallon jugs. In the winter the frozen water defrosts as the sun hits the black plastic. In the summer the flock can stand briefly in one of the 3, to cool off. Have fun with your new coop plans. I don't care much for closed containers, they can get slimy.

 

[AllenK RGV]

We use the game bird waterer, we also have 3 bck up waterers for Backup only.
I have been eLly pleased with it so far.


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I am curious are you keeping Sumatras? I can't quite tell due to the distraction of the hardware cloth.

 

[wamtazlady]

I use a semi clear (so I can tell when it needs filling) 10 gallon tote with lid, horizontal nipples, and a stock tank deicer that is rated to use in plastic during the winter. Only needs filled once a week. Am fortunate to have an indoor spigot to attach a hose so no carrying water for me, even in winter.

 

[DrFeathers]

x2

I have a 5 gallon bucket with a couple poultry nipples in it. It lasts 10 chickens for, oh, two weeks or so. They can't foul the water with the lid on so it's just a matter of adding water as needed and cleaning it a couple times per year to keep it from getting green. In winter, I add a bucket de-icer but if you're somewhere that only gets light frost, you won't need to.