water for free range

[ahmadeido]

hi, I will have a 10 hen flock and one rooster, they are going to be free range in the next couple weeks, how to I supply water for them other than in their run to drink while free ranging? or do I even need to?

thank you

 

[myfarm4579]

I think it all depends on how much space they have to range. I have water in the run and one outside the run but mine range on only bout half acre.

 

[ahmadeido]

I have 12 acres property

 

[myfarm4579]

Depending on your climate if it were me. I would offer them extra water during the hotter months of the year.

 

[Rusty's Ranch]

We only have a small lot, but we place bowls of water where they like to congregate. There is one in the coop/run, one in the middle of the yard by a bird bath and one on the opposite side near a favorite napping spot. They visit all three during the day. We just use ceramic dog dishes - they are easy to fill and clean.

 

[MistyMountain]

We free range 27 chickens… 9 hens, 2 roosters, 8 pullets at point of lay, 6 eleven week old pullets and 2 eleven week old cockerels. We have 11 acres, but honestly they maybe range on at most 4-5 of it. They have a 5 gallon waterer in their chicken-proof run, other than that they may drink some of the dogs water up at the house but I do not provide additional water. They know where the water is at and simply go back to the coop if they are thirsty. I strongly believe that they will not strand themselves so far from the coop that it becomes life or death if they do not have immediate access to water. If that situation occurs, they are probably not well suited as a free range chicken in my flock. Just my thoughts . I don't like to make things harder on myself.

 

[One Chick Two]

We always use multiple sources of water in case one ever fails.
One is a child's heavy duty wading pool in a shaded area (under a market umbrella) that has been recessed into the ground like a small pool. We reflll daily and clean often. They really love this and spend a lot of time here in summer especially.

 

[ahmadeido]

Thanks for everyone's replies, I think I might supply one source of water other than the coop's run , or even try just in the coop's run at first.

 

[myfarm4579]

Good luck to you and your flock

 

[ECBW]

So envious of those 10, 12 acres.

They will stay near the coop (100') most of the time, unless there are temptations to venture further (200' at times). They will drink from that muddy puddle as well as the waterer you put out. I just make sure there are at least 2 sources in case one dries up or is tipped over.