Rain barrel chicken waterer system

[KiwiMaverick]

I am currently designing my first coop, it has room for 6 hens, I plan to start with 4. I want to have a rain water collection barrel to water my chickens, but have seen a lot of mixed advice about barrels, algae and cleaning. My options are either a single 200L drum (55gal) or 2x 25L water totes. I am questioning whether to get the big drum or not, because the water would be sitting for a long time before 6 chooks can get through it, and I live in a relatively temperate part of New Zealand, winters don’t get below freezing for more than a few hours, and the summers are very warm. How much of an issue would algae be with the big drum, and is it worth going with the smaller containers until I have the use for a larger volume of water (planned drip irrigation, maybe a duck pond, we’ll see.)
Thanks in advance

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We use a plastic rain barrel with a screen top to keep out mosquito. We don't see much algae growth. When we used a wooden barrel it did get nasty, and full of mosquito very quickly. So I recommend something that sunlight can't penetrate, either through the top or sides. We have used rainwater for decades to water in the warm months here. You may occasionally have to dump and scrub, but if done right, not too often.

 

[KiwiMaverick]

We use a plastic rain barrel with a screen top to keep out mosquito. We don't see much algae growth. When we used a wooden barrel it did get nasty, and full of mosquito very quickly. So I recommend something that sunlight can't penetrate, either through the top or sides. We have used rainwater for decades to water in the warm months here. You may occasionally have to dump and scrub, but if done right, not too often.

I might stick to the original plan then, thank you!