Chickens need a constant supply of fresh clean water in order to remain healthy and lay well. An easy and inexpensive way to ensure they remain hydrated is to water the chickens from a bowl. But should you water chickens from a bowl? Let’s look at why it’s not such a great idea as a permanent source of water for chickens.
What are the benefits to providing chickens water from a bowl?
- Inexpensive — a simple bowl can be less expensive than a regular chicken waterer
- Easy — just grab a bowl and fill it with water, no set-up needed
- Reachable — chickens of all sizes can access water from a bowl
- Natural — chickens drink more readily from a bowl compared to other systems
- Cleanable — a bowl is fast and easy to scrub and refill
What are the disadvantages of providing chickens water from a bowl?
- Unhygienic — birds will walk in and poop in the water, introducing bacteria and parasites
- Size — depending on flock size, a bowl may not provide enough water
- Spilling — most bowls are easy for a chicken to spill by stepping on the rim
- Drowning — some bowls are deep enough to drown birds, especially chicks
- Wet crests — crested breeds can get their topknots wet, causing matting or freezing
- Overheating — in warm weather, shallow water in a bowl can get too warm to drink
- Freezing — in cold weather the water will freeze more easily
Which type of bowl is best for watering chickens?
A wide rubber bowl is less likely to tip, plus frozen water in winter just pops right out. A ceramic bowl, especially one with a large base, is heavy, therefore not easy to tip. A shallow metal pan works, too, but will eventually rust unless it is stainless steel.
Most plastic bowls are light weight and easy to tip. Some plastic pet bowls can be made heavier by turning the bowl upside-down and filling the base with concrete.
Frequently clean and disinfect the water bowl.
Keeping the water clean is key to successfully providing chickens with water from a bowl. At least once a day, dump the water (but not where it will create muddy conditions for the flock). Then thoroughly clean the bowl and refill it with fresh water. In extremely cold or hot weather, perform this task twice a day to ensure the flock always has palatable water available.
To keep the water as clean as possible, place the bowl where the water is less likely to be fouled. For instance, don’t put it beneath a roost where chickens will poop in the water. And don’t place the bowl near a dust bathing area or a spot where chickens like to scratch.
Raise the bowl above the ground or floor.
To prevent dirt and coop litter from filling the water bowl, raise it slightly on blocks or bricks. Or you could purchase an adjustable bowl stand.
Raising the bowl above ground level also helps prevent spillage. Another way to control spillage is to set the bowl on a wooden frame covered with hardware cloth, so spilled water will drain away underneath. For better drainage, set the frame on a pad of sand or gravel.
What are other options for watering chickens?
Other options for watering chickens include a nipple system, an automatic watering system, or a chicken watering fountain/fount. An electric fount base with a low-temperature thermostat will keep the fount from freezing in winter.
These various systems control the flow of water while keeping it clean. They also prevent spillage better than an open bowl.
And remember, chickens will use whatever they are most familiar with. By getting them used to one of the other chicken-friendly watering options from the start, they will prefer that over drinking from a bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will chickens drink water from a bowl?
Chickens will drink water wherever they find it, whether it’s in a bowl, bucket, trough, fountain, nipple, or automatic watering system. They will even drink filthy water from a mud puddle. But by providing clean fresh water in a bowl or otherwise, you ensure that they at least have a choice.
Is watering chickens from a bowl safe?
Watering chickens from a bowl can be safe if the bowl isn’t deep enough for drowning, the chickens can reach the water, and the bowl is cleaned often enough to prevent bacteria and parasites from infecting the flock.
Can you water chicks from a bowl?
Watering chicks from a bowl is not a good idea. They could drown in the water. They could poop in the drinking water, leading to coccidiosis. A safer and more sanitary option, and not highly expensive, is a regular chick waterer.
How to keep algae from forming in the drinking water?
To control algae in your chicken’s drinking water, keep it away from sunlight. Also, especially during warm weather, frequently scrub the drinker before refilling it.
How to keep chickens from walking or standing in the drinking water?
Chickens will walk or stand in an open drinking bowl, contaminating the water with dirt, litter, and poop. Nipple systems, automatic watering systems, and chicken watering founts are designed precisely to prevent chickens from fouling the water.
Should you water chickens from a bowl?
Whether or not you should water chickens from a bowl depends on the size of your flock and how much time you want to spend providing them with clean drinking water. If you have only a couple of chickens and plenty of time for bowl checking, or you’re looking for a fast but temporary solution to keeping the flock hydrated, watering chickens from a bowl can be a practical solution.
Helpful Links
Chicken Waterers from Cackle Hatchery®
How Much Water Does a Chicken Drink?
Is It Better to Water Chickens Inside or Outdoors?
And that’s today’s news from the Cackle Coop.
Gail Damerow has raised chickens and various other poultry for more than 5 decades and has written numerous books about them, many available from the Cackle Bookstore.
