How often to change water?

[Alex41]

In hot temperatures how often should I be changing the water for my chickens?

Lets call hot above 85 deg F outside.

My waterers are the conventional kind, no nipple waterers.

2 -3 times a day?


Thanks,

Alex

 

[Mountain Peeps]

I'd say about 2.

 

[the chickflick]

it depends on where you keep the water. if its in the shade 2 times should be good or when it gets dirty because the chickens play around with it. try not to keep it in the sun and change it about 2-3 times like you said

 

[kmollyhughes]

I do 2-3 times a day. Like 9, 12, 3:00. That way they have fresh cool water. When we do the final lock up at night they get all fresh water again for in the morning. I don't imagine they like to drink warm stale water, just like us. And, we can come inside to cool off, they're stuck outside all day. Yuck.

 

[Michael OShay]

In hot temperatures how often should I be changing the water for my chickens?

Lets call hot above 85 def F outside.

My waterers are the conventional kind, no nipple waterers.

2 -3 times a day?


Thanks,

Alex

There is not a set, correct answer to this question as it depends on the conditions of the water as The Chickflick said. Is it in the shade (if not, it should be)? How fast does the water get dirty (that can depend on the type of watering container you have and whether or not it is sitting on the floor or elevated in some way)? I would just check the temperature and condition of the water several times a day and then use some common sense about whether or not it needs to be changed.

 

[Alex41]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[aatx]

I can't imagine changing out the water that often. Is there a reason you are opposed to something like the horizontal nipples on a bucket? I only made the switch about 2 weeks ago, but I can't imagine going back to the other kind now.

I have a 2.5 gallon bucket inside the coop and a 5 gallon bucket in the run for my 17 chicks. I keep water bottles frozen and each morning when I go to let the chicks out, I drop in a new bottle and remove the old one to wash and refreeze. They've only been outside for a week, but the bucket was still clean on the inside when I washed it this weekend. I plan on washing them out weekly - or at least doing that to the small one inside the coop. When I poured out the water late Saturday afternoon, it was very cool, so that lets me know that my system is working.

 

[Yellowcoop1]

What a great idea putting the iced bottle right into the water. I am gonna steal that idea, thanks.. May I ask how many nipples do you use for all those chicks (how many to a nipple were you figuring). I plan on getting 10 to start. Also are you using the Brite Tap? Thanks

 

[aatx]

I think I could get by with less, but I like backups. The big bucket has 4 nipples, the smaller one in the coop only has three so I could put it up against the wall. I ordered the horizontal nipples off ebay. Just drill a 3/8" hole and they screw right in.

 

[Alex41]

I can't imagine changing out the water that often. Is there a reason you are opposed to something like the horizontal nipples on a bucket? I only made the switch about 2 weeks ago, but I can't imagine going back to the other kind now.

I have a 2.5 gallon bucket inside the coop and a 5 gallon bucket in the run for my 17 chicks. I keep water bottles frozen and each morning when I go to let the chicks out, I drop in a new bottle and remove the old one to wash and refreeze. They've only been outside for a week, but the bucket was still clean on the inside when I washed it this weekend. I plan on washing them out weekly - or at least doing that to the small one inside the coop. When I poured out the water late Saturday afternoon, it was very cool, so that lets me know that my system is working.

I'm by no means opposed to using the nipple watering system. At this point I'm still using the traditional waterers. I still have to carry water to the coop, so in the end what is the difference? My coop is in a temporary spot for now. Once the final landscaping is done in the back yard the coop will have a waterline supplied to it from underground supplying fresh water on a continual basis. Then I will go to the nipple system.

Just an added input here as general comment and not aimed at anyone in particular. If you have water sitting in your nipple system for many days that doesn't mean its fresh even if its cold. Water gets stale. Try tasting your water after 3 days in your waterer compared to water that has just been added. I think theres a big difference.

Thanks for everyones input

Alex