Winter water intake

[Kate E]

Do chickens drink less water in the winter? It makes sense that they would need less water when the temperatures aren't as high but I can't find any material to confirm this. I have a heated watering system in their run which replaces the typical waterer I use the rest of the year. Both watering systems look similar, the heated one is just a bit smaller. I can't tell if the birds are just drinking significantly less in the freezing temps or if they don't like the new heated waterer and are protesting its presence. The heated waterer has been in the run over 2 weeks. When I change the water I can't tell if they have had anything to drink or if the dip in water level is from evaporation- there is very little gone. I want to assume they are drinking it... I can't imagine they would survive 2 weeks without a drink. I have 5 chickens and I use a 3 gallon heated waterer that I change the water in every other day. Any thoughts....?

 

[PirateGirl]

well, you lose more water through respiration in winter than summer, though I'm not sure that means you need to drink more in winter

I can't exactly answer your question, but I can tell you that I also have 5 chickens and use a gallon and a half sized heated dog bowl and only fill it about halfway daily and that's been more than enough water for them in winter. If stayed cleaner it would last more than a day. They all come over and drink from it right away when I fill it so I know they use it.

 

[frankdust]

I believe like most animals they will consume same amount or more in colder weather