Watering System for 7 chickens - Question

[BankerJohn]

I am finishing the build of a coop/run (6ft x 15ft). In the coop/run area, I am installing a gravity fed auto watering system with 4 nipple waterers. How much water can I expect the girls to drink per day when full grown (they are currently 4 weeks old)? I live in West Central Florida, north of Tampa so I am expecting a larger amount of water consumption to combat the heat.

The reason for my question is so I can gauge how large a bucket/drum to use for the water supply.

Thank you in advance for the advice from those in the know.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

If they aren't going to be free ranging, I'd want at least a 5 gallon container, but bigger would be better if you wanted to go away for a while.

If you go too small and one nipple leaks, they could run out of water.

 

[briteday]

I'd go for the 5-gallon bucket. That way you can float a blue ice cooler in there when it really gets hot and you'll know that they always have plenty of water.

 

[patandchickens]

I'd suggest making the reservoir big enough for at *least* several days' worth of water. Not so much so you can go out of town as to provide a good margin of error against leaks, forgetting to fill it, having to work late, that sort of thing. Doesn't take long without water to seriously harm or even kill livestock.

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat