How long can chickens go without water for?

[frizzyfizz]

They are making a mess in the coop with wood shavings and I am thinking of removing the waterer.
Will they be ok without water for 14 hours?

Update:
Chill and relax guys! The chickens are still doing well and of course, we are still putting the waterer in their coop every night. I don't abuse my animals.

It's just a question after reading it on another thread here that chickens do not need to drink overnight.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They are making a mess in the coop with wood shavings and I am thinking of removing the waterer.
Will they be ok without water for 14 hours?

I would not remove the water. You can raise the waterer up so it's chest height so they are kicking shavings into it.

 

[so lucky]

Someone on here said they need water within an hour of waking up, otherwise the egg production will be affected. How about using the nipples that you put on the side of a bucket? No muss no fuss.

 

[Eggscaping]

They are making a mess in the coop with wood shavings and I am thinking of removing the waterer.
Will they be ok without water for 14 hours?

Would *you* be ok without water for 14 hours?
Why not look for a waterer that can give them water without making a mess? There are many types, if you look here in the articles I'm sure you can find something that would work for you without depriving your birds of the ability to have a drink when they want it.

 

[IamRainey]

NO.

I suppose if they were without water for 5 or 6 hours by accident on a day that wasn't particularly hot, they'd survive. But it wouldn't be good for them. It wouldn't be humane. It shouldn't be a practice!

Chickens who don't have water are going to be stressed out. Stressed birds don't lay very well and they get cranky and take it out on one another. Then your next problem is how you're going to keep them from ganging up on your weakest bird. They're also more susceptible to whatever disease opportunities pop up.

Is the problem in your coop or your run? They can go without water when they're in the coop overnight. There should ALWAYS be water in the run where they spend their days. And a run doesn't need shavings for bedding.

 

[Steven Bussell]

How old are they..
14 hours is to long to go without water no matter what their age is. The younger they are the more important food and water are.