What type of watering would be the best?

[JoshTheVegan02]

I am planning on building a coop with a footprint of 15m2 total including the coop and run but I can't decide on which way is the best way to water the chickens. I plan on keeping three chickens if that is any help. Ideally I only want to change the water every other day but I can compromise.

 

[GitaBooks]

An automatic waterer works well to keep water available at all times, though you do have to check it twice a day for plugs or other problems. Every other day or so the dish should be given a little bit of scrubbing to remove any grime inside of it.
You could also just use a feeder-style bucket and change it once a day. It works well in cold weather, as it doesn't break when ice is kicked out of it.

My bucket waterer (I have three of them). I change these up to three times during -0 F weather and 2 times during the summer, but during most of the time they only need filled once every day or two for 40 chickens!

 

[Ashbow]

I recommend a nipple watering system. Easy to fill, cleaner, and will last days without refilling. You can make one yourself or buy online. Homemade ones use buckets or PVC pipe. YouTube has some videos on the DIY.

Also, if you're in a colder climate, use a heated water bowl so the water won't freeze.

 

[pdirt]

We use a nipple bucket, works great. Below are photos of our winter setup, so far it's worked down to -9F, but others with a similar setup have report no freezing issues down to -15 or -20F. I'm not a fan of the non-breakable feeder style buckets because they smell liked tire rubber, which makes me wonder what sort of toxic rubbery stuff are they made of.

 

[Free Feather]

It is alot easier for me to just give them a little black rubber bowl like they sell in Tractor Supply. I set it on a block so they do not kick bedding into it, and if they spill it, put a brick in it to make it heavy. No fancy systems, and if it freezes, you just turn it upside down and stomp on it to get the ice out. Easy Peasy.